Health Secretary Shona Robison says “Measures are only Temporary” – Hyslop Comments

St John’s Children’s Ward

Health Secretary Shona Robison says “Measures are only Temporary” – Hyslop Comments

Linlithgow Constituency MSP, Fiona Hyslop has said that the statement from the Health Secretary, Shona Robison that the measures to close St John’s Paediatric ward overnight are only temporary is reassuring. It follows a warning that it would pose a risk to safety if the ward remained open 24hrs a day after a series of staff pressures with annual leave, sick leave and maternity leave all coinciding.

Fiona said,

“I share my constituents’ concerns about the restrictions on the Children’s Ward opening times overnight but the intervention by the Health Secretary stating that these measures are only temporary are welcome.

“As the local MSP for Linlithgow I will be meeting with the Chief Executive of NHS Lothian to ensure that disruption to services is kept to an absolute minimum.

“The issues of sick leave, maternity leave and annual leave all came together this summer and I would reiterate the Cabinet Secretary for Health’s comments that stated she did not envisage similar issues coming together next summer.”

ENDS