Desparate plea to Health Minister ahead of RAH tour
Health minister Shona Robison is today meeting the parents of sick kids before she decides whether to axe paediatric services.
The SNP politician is touring the Royal Alexandra Hospital ahead of a crunch decision on the future of children’s care.
She is meeting medics on ward 15, before a summit with families to hear their concerns this afternoon.
Paisley- based MSP Neil Bibby has urged her to support staff and youngsters by vowing to keep treatment in the town.
He said: “Shona Robison should use her trip to rule out, once and for all, any further threat to the RAH children’s ward.
“Local people have had the threat of downgrades to the ward for too long.
“Patients and staff should not have to face a summer of uncertainty over the ward’s future.
“Thousands of families have opposed the downgrade of the RAH and the SNP government should stop ignoring them and start listening.
“Local SNP politicians have not stood up to their bosses in Edinburgh on this.
“Nicola Sturgeon claimed the ward wasn’t under threat — Shona Robison now needs to keep that promise.”
Earlier this year, NHS bosses voted to close the ward, transferring services to Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
A Holyrood vote forced the issue to be called in, with the final decision resting with Ms Robison.
She was heckled by campaigners protesting the proposals the last time she visited the town in May. Ms Robison says she will speak to all those involved before revealing her plan.
She said: “I am meeting with local people and their elected representatives to hear their views directly, to inform my decision.
“I will be listening carefully, not just to the views of the health board, but to those of parents, patients and other stakeholders.”