A children's hospital ward for spinal and brain related illnesses threatened with closure has been given a stay of execution.

The project team reviewing the unit at Wimbledon's well-known Atkinson Morley's Hospital has recommended no final decision because more investigation is needed.

It points to a number of areas which need to be looked at including neurosurgery, anaesthetics, radiology and intensive care.

Atkinson Morley's Action Group spokesman Della Smith said: "This is positive news but we won't rest until we are sure the children and the expertise of these surgeons are kept together in the borough."

The review body made up of health authority representatives and trusts from the South Thames region will also look at the effect changes in junior doctors' training will have on the service. A Merton Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority spokesman said parents, children and other key groups will be consulted once additional work is complete.

A decision to move Atkinson Morley's children's ward to King's Hospital, Camberwell was deferred for six months in April. In January surgeons issued a written protest against the closure and parents sent out 250,000 petitions across Britain.

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