An independent review of children’s cardiac services at Bristol Royal Hospital for Children is to be launched today, following the deaths of children including Warminster boy Sean Turner.

Sean died in 2012 aged four from a brain haemorrhage after previously suffering a cardiac arrest – six weeks after having corrective heart surgery at the hospital.

NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh ordered an independent review into the hospital, after meeting Sean’s parents Yolanda and Steve in February and other families whose children died after undergoing heart operations.

Sir Bruce asked Sir Ian Kennedy, who led the inquiry into the deaths of dozens of babies at Bristol Royal Infirmary in the 1990s, to conduct a probe led by the families.

Mr Keogh’s announcement came as a total of 12 families said they were taking legal action against the trust that runs the hospital.

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust welcomed the independent review, which will be launched at a short briefing held today by its chairwoman Eleanor Grey QC and consultant adviser Sir Ian.

For further information about the Bristol Review see www.thebristolreview.co.uk