CONSTANCE CALLS FOR MORE LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR KIDS AND SECURES COMMITMENT FROM HEALTH SECRETARY

CONSTANCE CALLS FOR MORE LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR KIDS AND SECURES COMMITMENT FROM HEALTH SECRETARY

 Angela Constance MSP has welcomed the commitment from Jeane Freeman MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Health to give full consideration to increasing children's services available at St John's Hospital, Livingston.

 The Almond Valley MSP has long been campaigning for more children's services to be delivered at St John's given the locally available first class staff and facilities.

 Ms Constance said -

 "I have long argued that in addition to returning our children’s ward to a 24/7 service there should be more inpatient and outpatient services delivered locally for our kids. We have a growing population in West Lothian with increasing numbers of children and a first class hospital with great staff, therefore it makes sense to do more at St. John’s. I am pleased that the Health Secretary in response to my correspondence and questions in Parliament has given an assurance that this will be actively considered and she has instructed the Chief Medical Officer to pursue this matter directly with NHS Lothian. I welcome this action and look forward to the results of that engagement in early course."

Attached - letter from Angela Constance MSP to Cabinet Secretary for Health dated 18.9.19.

Quote from response from Jeane Freeman MSP dated 14.10.19 -

"I fully expect NHS Lothian to continue to review the Lothian-wide delivery of paediatric services in hospital and in the community, and give active consideration to the design and delivery of services. I have asked the Chief Medical Officer to engage directly with NHS Lothian on exploring this issue." 

Ends.

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