Over 400 children transferred since children’s ward closed

Over 400 children had to be transferred from St John’s Hospital to Edinburgh due to the closure of the paediatric ward to inpatients last July.

New figures show that having been assessed at the Livingston hospital, 414 kids were then transferred to the Sick Kids hospital in Edinburgh as they could not be admitted to St John’s due to the children’s ward’s closure to inpatients that has been in effect since July 7, 2017.

Of these children 341 were admitted to the inpatient ward at Sick Kids and 73 were discharged home.

Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian, said that the figures showed that NHS Lothian must return St John’s children’s ward back to a 24/7 service.

Mr Findlay said: “Here is the extent of the impact on families of the Children’s ward restrictions exposed, 414 sick and ill children having to be transferred from Livingston to Edinburgh because they could not be treated at their local hospital.

“Three-hundred and forty-one of these children had to be admitted to a ward with all the stress that causes for the child and their family.”

Angela Constance, SNP MSP for Almond Valley, said: “These numbers demonstrate what we all know - that West Lothian’s children deserve and need a children’s ward that is fully open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“The recent successful recruitment of paediatricians is a very welcome step in the right direction towards our much loved children’s ward returning to full service. NHS Lothian, the Health Secretary and the Independent Royal College of Paediatricians all support a 24/7 children’s ward and are working hard to achieve this.”

NHS Lothian have said that they have received a recent boost to the staffing numbers at the children’s ward.

A consultant who was recruited last year has rejoined the team and an offer has been made to another candidate.

Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “This is a really positive move. We have our sixth consultant joining the team and we have made an offer to another clinician which means that seven new consultant posts have now been filled, despite a very challenging recruitment picture across the UK .

“So far we have been unable to provide sufficient staffing cover to ensure patients receive a safe service overnight. These new appointments are a step in the right direction, but we are not in a position to provide a safe and stable working rota yet.

“I know this is frustrating for patients and families, but we are committed to the children’s ward and this has been demonstrated by the significant and on-going investment we have made into recruitment.”