Paediatric services bid
Decision’s ‘unacceptable’
West Lothian Council have met with NHS Lothian to demand that overnight paediatric services be reinstated at St John’s Hospital in Livingston.
The council said that the decision to weaken the service was “completely unacceptable” and, alongside local MPs and MSPs, put pressure on NHS Lothian to reverse the decision.
Lawrence Fitzpatrick, leader of West Lothian Council, said: “West Lothian stands united in opposing this unnecessary reduction to paediatric services at St John’s Hospital.
“This combined meeting sent a strong message to NHS Lothian that their decision is the wrong one for West Lothian and should be reversed as soon as possible.
“West Lothian is one of the fastest growing communities in Scotland with around 30,000 children, so to remove overnight ser vices for children during the busy summer months is simply unacceptable.”
A number of questions were posed to NHS Lothian including the rationale behind the reduction in services and when full paediatric services would be re- instated at St John’s.
Despite NHS Lothian apologising for their poor communication on the matter, their answers did little to impress some in attendance.
Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian, said: “We heard the usual and well-rehearsed litany of excuses from NHS Lothian about why the children’s ward’s hours have been restricted for the third time in five years.
“Parents of young patients are sick of excuses and want action to ensure that the ward is staffed appropriately and safely and is open when needed.”
Angela Constance said that NHS Lothian informed the meeting six new consultants had been recruited since 2016 but that eight were needed.
Ms Constance said: “It’s fair to say no elected representative is satisfied NHS Lothian has not reversed their decision and no specific date has as yet, been given for the return to normal service.”
She added: “All elected members conveyed a sense of disappointment and dismay on behalf of their constituents and I along with other colleagues will continue to press NHS Lothian and others, to make progress as quickly as possible, so life in our wonderful children’s ward can get back to normal.”
The meeting with NHS Lothian followed a special meeting of the council where the three party leaders said the decision “cannot be justified” and drew up a list of 16 questions to be answered by NHS Lothian which was presented to them at the meeting.
A further report on paediatric services at St John’s is due to be presented to Council Executive on August 29.
NHS were contacted for comment but had not responded by the time The Courier went to press.