Campaigners have won a High Court challenge over proposed changes to children's heart surgery services in England.
Save Our Surgery (SOS), which is trying to stop the closure of the heart unit at Leeds General Infirmary, argued the consultation process leading up to the changes was "unfair and procedurally flawed".
Justice Nicola Davies, sitting at London's Royal Courts of Justice, ruled that the challenge must succeed - but what the victory means for the future will be decided at a later date.
Outside the court, SOS spokeswoman Sharon Cheng said the ruling did not necessarily mean the Leeds heart unit was saved.
She said much would depend on what orders the judge decided to make when the matter returns to court later this month.
"We have won this case on every point. It doesn't necessarily mean the heart surgery is saved, but fresh reconsideration will have to be given as to what is to happen next and the fight will go on," she said.
"We knew it was time to fight because of the strength of feeling of families.
"The campaign started small, like David and Goliath, then grew and grew out of all proportions."
Nearly 600,000 people signed a petition against closure of the Leeds unit The legal challenge stems from a decision last July by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) that paediatric cardiac surgery should be concentrated at fewer, larger sites to improve standards across the country.
Sir Neil McKay, chair of the JCPCT, said he was very disappointed with the court's decision.
"The pressing need to reform children's heart services is long overdue and experts have cautioned that further delay in achieving the necessary change would be a major set back in improving outcomes for children with heart disease," he said.
"The judgement focuses on a single matter of process, but the case for the reconfiguration of children's heart surgical services remains strong."
The sites currently chosen to stay open are at Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool, Newcastle, Southampton and two London centres.
As well as the Leeds site, units at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital and London's Royal Brompton are also facing closure.
The Brompton lost an earlier legal challenge to the proposals.
Nearly 600,000 people signed a petition against closure of the Leeds unit.
Children in the area would have to travel to Newcastle or Liverpool for surgery if the Leeds unit is shut down.
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