SNP can’t be trusted on children’s health services

23 Jan 2018

Pledges the SNP made on NHS paediatric facilities “simply can’t be trusted”, after health secretary Shona Robison attempted to defend the closure of children’s ward in Paisley.

The SNP government repeatedly promised not to close Ward 15 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

However, she confirmed to Holyrood today that those services will now move to the Sick Kids hospital in Glasgow, describing it as being in the “best interests” of children.

In May 2016, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “There are no proposals to close that particular ward. I believe in local services with access for local people.”

Shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said it was more evidence of the SNP neglecting paediatric care across the country.

He pointed to similar closures at St John’s Hospital in Livingston in recent months.

And in Edinburgh, the building of a replacement Sick Kids hospital is now more than five years late.

Scottish Conservative shadow health secretary Miles Briggs said:

“It seems Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP government forgot the promises made to the public just before the 2016 election.

“There are now questions as to whether the public was misled just before that vote on a key election pledge.

“It’s more evidence that the SNP simply can’t be trusted when it comes to maintaining children’s hospital facilities.

“As well as the closure of the ward at the Royal Alexandra, there are ongoing issues with the paediatric inpatient ward at St John’s, and ridiculous delays to the new Sick Kids in Edinburgh.

“Patients cannot trust a word this SNP government says on the NHS.”