Anger at hospital children’s ward cuts
Health bosses are facing flak
Bosses at NHS Lothian have come under fire for the decision to stop accepting inpatients to the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital and restricting the ward’s opening times.
NHS Lothian have made the decision to stop accepting inpatients on July 7 while also reducing the opening times of the ward from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.
Jacquie Campbell, chief officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian said: “The safety of our patients must be out top priority and this is a difficult and deeply frustrating decision to have to make.
“We have relied on our dedicated staff
from St John’s and across Lothian to work additional hours to provide these important services. Despite our best efforts we have been unable to reliably secure the levels of staffing required overnight and at weekends to guarantee a safe service.”
The health body have blamed staffing shortages and lack of cover for the decision.
However a copy of the ward’s rota sheet, obtained by the Courier, shows that the ward is fully staffed for the full month of July.
When questioned why the children’s ward would be reducing its services a full three weeks before the rota had run its course, NHS Lothian said that it was because staffing levels remained “fragile”.
Tracey Gillies, medical director, NHS Lothian, said: “Staffing levels for this period are extremely fragile and remain a risk, such that there is no backup available should a member of the medical staff be absent at short notice, for example if they fall ill or have a family crisis. To carry on in this situation would risk a closure of the ward at the last minute causing confusion for parents and staff and possible delays to emergency care.”
Politicians, including Labour MSP Neil Findlay and SNP MP Hannah Bardell, have also questioned the decision-making process of NHS Lothian in reducing the services of the ward while it was still staffed.
Ms Bardell, MP for Livingston, said: “There appears not to have been any consultation process because why would they make a decision like this if there was cover?”
Ms Bardell wrote to the deputy chief executive of NHS Lothian Jim Crombie demanding answers, saying: “Whilst I appreciate there are some challenges around the rota, I am in receipt of a copy of the rota for July 2017, which clearly states that there is cover available to keep a 24/ 7 children’s ward sustained. As you can imagine, this is a significant surprise and raises much concern.”
Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, has also said that there was “no need for the ward to close” and has started a petition to keep normal services in place which has so far been signed by over 6400 people.
Mr Findlay said: “Only a year ago NHS Lothian told us that the ward was safe and that appropriate staffing arrangements would be put in place to ensure 24/ 7 in patients services would be available.”
West Lothian Council have called NHS Lothian’s decision “unacceptable” and were holding an emergency council meeting yesterday (Wednesday) to discuss it.
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, leader of West Lothian Council, said: “I am shocked and very angry at this decision. It is unacceptable that West Lothian families are being forced to accept a cut in services at the children’s ward at St John’s once more.”
Angela Constance, SNP MSP for Almond Valley, called the decision “extremely concerning.”
NHS Lothian said they are “committed to reinstating the full service as soon as possible after the summer”.