Margaret Smith Supports Sick Kids move

28/11/06

Margaret Smith MSP has responded to NHS Lothian’s recent consultation on Children and Young People’s Services and the future of the Sick Children’s Hospital.

Margaret welcomes the proposal that the Hospital should be relocated to a site adjacent to the RIE. The relocation would benefit the community by building on the excellent standard of care currently given by hospital staff, providing improved links to vital medical services and enhanced accommodation and treatment facilities for sick children. Margaret Smith said that she
 
“.. accept(s) wholeheartedly that there is a clinical case for the Sick Kids being co-located with the RIE, in terms of access to diagnostic services and labs; quick transfer from the A+E department;  strong relationships between specialist surgical services and the need for closer links with the neonatal service at Simpson's Maternity Unit.”

Ms Smith has called on NHS Lothian to ensure a number of key issues are addressed in the move which will ensure service of the highest quality for patients of Sick Children’s Hospital. Firstly, given the public support for the Sick Kids she opposes the use of PPP in financing the new buildings and calls for the new facilities to adequately address the accommodation requirements of teenagers and include the availability of on-site accommodation for parents. Ms. Smith has also called for the Child and Adolescent  Mental Health Services for young people up to the age of 18 to be co-located and expanded as part of this new build. She also welcomes the provision of a new mother and baby unit as recommended by the Scottish Parliament's Health and Community Care Committee during the passage of the Mental Health legislation when Margaret was Convenor.

Margaret's Consultation Response >>