Accusation of ‘betrayal’ over hospital’s closure

Opposition parties have accused the Scottish Government of breaking an election promise and betraying families by approving plans to close the children’s ward at Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

Health secretary Shona Robison has agreed NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde can move in-patient and day care services for children to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children.

She told MSPS the decision was one of the hardest she had made during her time in office, but added she believed it was in the best interests of patients.

Ms Robison came under fire as she gave a statement on her decision at Holyrood yesterday. Her opponents quoted 0 Shona Robison came under fire from MSPS at Holyrood the First Minister, who said in 2016 there were no proposals to close the ward.

Conservative MSP Miles Briggs said: “I believe that today will go down as Nicola Sturgeon and the health secretary’s Nick Clegg moment in the Parliament.” Labour’s Anas Sarwar said: “This is a betrayal of local people.”