NHS crisis: ‘Betrayal’ as children’s ward axed
Robison attacked over decision
MINISTERS have announced a much-loved children’s ward is to close, sparking fury from campaigners over the ‘betrayal’.
In-patient and day-case services at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley will be transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
Health Secretary Shona Robison confirmed the decision yesterday, saying it had been ‘difficult’ but was in the best interests of children.
But critics say children and their families have been ‘stabbed in the back’ by the Scottish Government.
The future of the children’s ward at the RAH had been in jeopardy after NHS
‘Families have been stabbed in the back’
Greater Glasgow and Clyde said it wanted to move the services it provides to the new Glasgow children’s hospital.
Local campaigners have fought tirelessly, warning the closure could risk lives. In May, they presented the Scottish Government with a 17,000signature petition.
Although children’s in-patient and day-case services will move, A&E and outpatient clinics will remain at the Paisley hospital.
Miss Robison rejected the board’s proposal to close Lightburn Hospital, Glasgow.
But the decision affecting the Royal Alexandra has left campaigners ‘devastated’.
Questioned on the issue two years ago, Nicola Sturgeon gave a ‘commitment’ to keep services local.
But last night the First Minister was accused of ‘lying’ after a video emerged of her telling voters the SNP had ‘no plans’ to shut the children’s ward.
The clip shows Miss Sturgeon making the comments after being asked about the future of the ward during a televised leaders’ debate ahead of the 2016 election.
She tells the audience: ‘I will give a commitment we will keep services as local as they need to be. There’s no proposals to close that particular ward.’
Labour MSP for Glasgow Anas Sarwar posted the clip on Twitter alongside the caption: ‘This is Sturgeon saying there were no plans to close the ward. She lied!! What a disgrace.’
Of the decision to close the ward, Carolann Davidson, of the Kids Need Our Ward campaign, said: ‘We feel totally betrayed by this decision.
‘We are disgusted by our local SNP councillors, MPs and MSPs who turned their backs on this campaign.
‘This decision is all about cuts, not the clinical needs of children. Shona Robison and Nicola Sturgeon are putting lives at risk. Shona Robison should resign.’
West of Scotland Labour MSP Neil Bibby said: ‘The families and staff have been stabbed in the back by the SNP government. This is a betrayal of local families and categorically represents a major downgrading of the Royal Alexandra Hospital.’
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has welcomed the move, pointing to ‘state of the art’ facilities in Glasgow.
But there are concerns on the future of children’s NHS services. Paediatric in-patient services at St John’s Hospital, Livingston, West Lothian, were halted in June because of staff shortages.
Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: ‘Children’s services are being failed by the SNP.’
Miss Robison said: ‘This new model is in the best interests of children and will ensure the majority of cases will continue to be seen and treated locally.’
Dr Jennifer Armstrong, medical director for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: ‘The Royal Hospital for Children is one of the finest paediatric teaching hospitals in the United Kingdom.
‘This decision will ensure that children will be able to receive their care in these state-of-theart facilities.’
‘Being failed by the SNP’