GRANDFATHER Bernard Dunleavy, who had a heart-swap operation more than eight years ago, has condemned the Government's delay on whether to keep the transplant unit open at Wythenshawe.

Mr Dunleavy, of Northfield Road, Limefield, in Bury, said the indecision only added to the stress of patients and their families.

The Wythenshawe unit is fighting for its future alongside units in Sheffield and Birmingham. The Government said it intends to close two of the centres as part of a rationalisation plan.

But a decision, expected last month, has still not been announced.

Mr Dunleavy (64), who has four grandchildren, Niall, Ria, Lauren and Joseph, still returns to the unit every six weeks for a check-up.

He said: "It will be a kick in the teeth if this centre shuts.

"But it is disgusting that a decision has not yet been made. The staff are really dejected and, as a patient, it is stressful.

"Stress is the worst thing a heart patient can go through," he added.

Dozens of men and women are on the waiting list for a life-saving heart, lung or combined heart-lung transplant at the hospital.

Ann Stuart, manager of Wythenshawe's New Heart New Start Appeal, said the closure of its unit would cause patients to travel further and make their lives even more difficult.

"We have been assured that the decision will be made purely on clinical grounds and, should that be the case, we are confident that we will be chosen."