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Hospital bosses fighting to save children's heart surgery in Oxford want to explore further work with teams in Southampton.

Closer links could see clinical staff shared between the two hospitals.

But the director of a national review said the idea of operating in different locations had been "ruled out".

In October the review said children's heart surgery at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital should stop because the unit was too small.

Councillor Susanna Pressel, from Oxfordshire's Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, is unhappy the hospital's alternative proposals were dismissed before the public consultation starts next month.

'Serious doubts'

Jeremy Glyde, programme director of the Safe and Sustainable Review panel, said they could only recommend viable centres.

In their assessments of all 11 facilities in England, the unit in Oxford had performed badly.

"It received 37% of the total scores, the highest scoring trust received 86%, the average was 73% so based on that assessment alone there were serious doubts about the ability of the John Radcliffe to meet those standards in the future," he said.

Councillor Pressel said the health committee would build up a clearer picture of the John Radcliffe Hospital's proposals to make sure Oxford was able to take part in the public consultation process.

"When we've got all the details set out in front of us we can have a proper go at deciding at what's best for Oxford," she added.