Local politicians meet with Health Secretary about Children’s Ward
Local constituency MSPs Angela Constance (Almond Valley) and Fiona Hyslop (Linlithgow) and Councillor Peter Johnston met with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Shona Robison to discuss the ongoing situation with the Children’s Ward at St John’s Hospital. They were updated on the progress of recruiting paediatric staff as part of the implementation of Option 1 of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s (RCPCH) recommendations to secure a sustainable 24/7 children’s ward at St John’s.
Following this, Angela Constance MSP met with the RCPCH during their visit to St John’s as part of their review of the progress of implementation of last year’s report.
Fiona Hyslop MSP said:
“The Cabinet Secretary for Health was clear in her support for 24/7 opening of the children’s ward and updated us on progress to date in implementing the Royal College’s recommendations.
“The recruitment process is being actively pursued, which is expected to return the ward to 24/7 services following the temporary restriction of hours due to the holiday period and illness cover while the recruitment process continues. The Health Secretray explained that the Royal College is currently looking at the progress of implementation and the Lothian NHS Board has reiterated its commitment to 24/7 opening.”
Angela Constance MSP said:
“Following the meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, I was pleased to have an early opportunity to meet with the RCPCH face-to-face given that NHS Lothian advised over the summer that the RCPCH would be here to review progress following last year’s report.
“I took the opportunity to inform the RCPCH that local views and local need for a 24/7 children’s ward remain the same.
“West Lothian is the same size as the city of Dundee, with a growing young population and the children’s ward, amongst other things, enables acutely ill children, who have required specialist care at Yorkhill or the Sick Kids, to continue their rehabilitation locally which makes things much easier for them and their families.
“My colleagues and I will continue to press for the reinstatement of a sustainable 24/7 children’s service as soon as possible.”