A SPECIALIST centre for complex vein and artery operations is being set up at Queen’s Hospital as part of a radical shake-up of services designed cut unnecessary deaths.

Under radical plans agreed by north east London PCTs this week services will shift from King George Hospital in Dagenham and Redbridge to Romford.

Vascular surgery will also be moved from Whipps Cross to the Royal London in an effort to create two centres of excellence.

They will be expected to share the 400 patients requiring the life-saving procedures in the region each year.

More people die in the UK from these types of operations than in many other western countries, with patients needing longer recovery times and often missing out on the latest technology developments.

Consultant Vascular Surgeon at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, Gabriel Sayer, said: “We’re delighted with the decision by the outer north east London joint committee of PCTs to go ahead with our recommendations to reorganise complex vascular surgery in north east London.

“Vascular patients in north east London deserve the safest and highest quality services available.

“The decision to concentrate these services at The Royal London and Queen’s hospitals means patients will enjoy the benefits of receiving fast, specialist care regardless of where they live.”

It is believed that by creating two hi tech centres with an around the clock supply of highly skilled medics will result in a higher standard of treatment and less lives lost.

The decision follows a consultation of GPs, doctors and other health professionals and the blueprint was developed with the input of 200 medical experts.

Vascular surgery includes three surgical procedures to the arteries, abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair which carries a high risk rupture.

Procedures to remove inner linings of thickened or damaged blood vessels in the neck and a lower limb bypasses, where the arteries are severely narrowed, will also be undertaken at the Queen’s.