Review of children's Belfast cardiac services
There is to be an external review of children's congenital cardiac services in Belfast.
Health Minister Edwin Poots said the Health and Social Care Board planned to carry out a review of congenital cardiac services for children.
Congenital cardiac disease is a rare condition particularly among children.
However, a UK database showed higher than expected mortality among children for a disorder known as tetralogy of Fallot, a serious heart abnormality.
The review will concentrate on operations performed between 2007 and 2010.
The BBC understands that at least three children died during this period.
A majority of children's heart operations are now carried out in England as the Belfast Health Trust has yet to replace a heart surgeon who retired in 2010.