CHILDREN’S WARD ROW 500 SICK KIDS FORCED TO TRAVEL
Admissions switched to capital after services cut
Hundreds of West Lothian children have had to travel to Edinburgh for hospital care since the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital closed its doors to inpatients over a year ago.
According to NHS Lothian’s own figures, around 500 children, 1.6 per day, have been admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh due to the lack of 24/7 children’s ward services at the
Livingston hospital.
Papers presented to August’s NHS Lothian board meeting stated: “In the year since the temporary closure of the paediatric inpatient unit at St John’s Hospital there had been approximately 500 admissions from there to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, averaging at 1.6 admissions per day.” There has been cross-party support from politicians to return the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital.
Miles Briggs, Conservative MSP for Lothian, said: “The situation facing sick children and their parents in West Lothian is unacceptable.
“This proves the decision to close the ward to 24/ 7 admissions, and downgrade the hospital more generally, has had a negative impact.
“The last thing worried parents should have to face in these situations is a 20- mile trip into the centre of Edinburgh when the care was previously on their doorstep.”
Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian, added: “The ward has closed to out- of- hours patients three times in the past five years.
“This is all down to a workforce crisis under the SNP. This has to change and we need the ward open ASAP.”
SNP MSP for Almond Valley, Angela Constance, said: “The transfer of 500 children demonstrates West Lothian needs and deserves a children’s ward that is open 24/ 7 and I will continue to press for this to be reinstated.”
NHS Lothian said they are committed to reinstating the ward to 24/7 services and are actively recruiting staff.
Jacquie Campbell, chief officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian said: “Patient safety must always be the top priority and our decision followed a detailed risk assessment.
“On average, fewer than two children are transferred to Edinburgh for admission each day. We’re committed to increasing staffing levels in paediatric services and reinstating the 24/7 model at St John’s Hospital when it is safe and sustainable to do so.
“We’re actively recruiting staff and recruitment campaigns are ongoing, but in the meantime, this is the safest option.”