Commenting on St John’s Hospital Children’s Ward
Fiona Hyslop said;
“It is highly significant that one of the first things the new Health Secretary, Jeanne Freeman, did in her new role was to write to NHS Lothian instructing that they provide a progress report on work to reinstate St John’s Children’s Ward as a 24/7 site, as part of recommended implementations of the RCPCH Report, which she copied to me personally as the local constituency MSP.
“Everyone, including the Board, has stated their commitment to the implementing the recommendations of the RCPCH Report and although progress is being made, efforts from NHS Lothian must be re-doubled. With the UK Government finally revising and relaxing the visa scheme for international doctors this may also assist with the ongoing recruitment process.
“The number of NHS Lothian Consultants has increased from 625 to 924 since the SNP Government took office but clearly the international paediatric doctors shortage is still having an impact here.”
ENDS