Mr Hunt said that the Safe & Sustainable review, which began five years ago, was found to be based on 'flawed analysis' by the Independent Review Panel and has asked NHS England to report back to him by the end of July on how to best move forward with the future of children's heart surgery.
This means that the future of children's heart surgery unit at Southampton, which was saved last July when the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts decided it would continue to carry out this specialist surgery, remains uncertain.
Speaking after the announcement in the House of Commons, Steve Brine, who campaigned tirelessly to save the Southampton Unit, said:
"This news will be greeted with a deep sigh in Southampton because it extends the uncertainty and worry for the Trust, clinicians and parents. Nothing however changes the basic facts about Southampton which were established by the Safe & Sustainable process. The quality of the operations carried out, the co-location of other acute paediatric and adult services and crucially, the clinical network across to Oxford mean Southampton remains in the strongest of positions."
Steve has written to Jeremy Hunt to request an urgent meeting in light of the announcement and will continue to work with campaigners and local stakeholders on this important issue.
Pictured; Steve Brine joined fellow Hampshire MP and campaigners delivering a petition to Downing Street in 2011
More information...
Watch ITV Meridian coverage of Steve and local colleagues questioning the Jeremy Hunt here
View all Steve's work on this campaign here