By Dave Lord

THE SCOTTISH Government has been urged to intervene to ensure Perth Royal Infirmary’s specialist children’s ward is not closed.

A succession of politicians contacted The Courier yesterday after we exclusively revealed that closing the ward is among options being considered by NHS Tayside to solve chronic staffing pressures.

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said the news was “extremely worrying” while Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham warned that closure of the ward would be a “very big mistake.”

Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart insisted there would be “dangerous consequences” and Liz Smith, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP, described the move as “totally unacceptable” to the people of Perthshire.

Rumours began circulating over the ward’s future earlier this week, with some sources at the hospital suggesting closure is a “done deal.”

Campaigners are already mobilising in opposition and politicians are also preparing for a battle.

Mr Fraser said, “It is extremely worrying to learn that staff pressures at Perth Royal Infirmary may result in the children’s ward being shut down.

“The hospital is vital to people throughout Perthshire and many families depend on the children’s ward. I am concerned for their wellbeing if it is closed.

“Perthshire is seeing too many cuts to its health service and Nicola Sturgeon must intervene and ensure that the children’s ward does not close.”

Ms Smith backed calls for the health minister to intervene.

“The centralisation of health services in Dundee is totally unacceptable to the people of Perthshire,” she remarked.

“Murdo Fraser MSP and I have jointly written to Cabinet Secretary for Health, Nicola Sturgeon MSP, asking for her to intervene and clear up the uncertainty which has been allowed to grow.”

Ms Cunningham demanded an “urgent meeting” with chief operating officer Gerry Marr to discuss the situation.

“I have fought against the closure of the children’s ward at PRI before and I am ready to do so again,” she said.

“Paediatric services at PRI have been trimmed back over the years but it would be a very big mistake indeed to close the ward altogether.”

A high-profile campaign waged over several years failed to spare the hospital’s consultant-led maternity unit from the chop but Ms Cunningham insists closure of the children’s ward is unthinkable.

“If NHS Tayside have staffing difficulties then they must resolve them,” she said.

“However, closing the children’s ward should not be an option.

“I will be seeking an urgent meeting with Gerry Marr to discuss the background to this situation and NHS Tayside’s plans for the future.”

Mr Wishart outlined his concerns, warning it would have a negative impact on the wider community.

“I am completely opposed to any suggestion that the children’s ward at PRI should be closed,” the MP said.

“Such a move would inevitably result in some children not getting medical attention as quickly as they can now and there are obvious dangerous consequences to such a move.

“Essential medical services should be as locally based as possible.

“Closure of the children’s ward at PRI would also have a major and negative impact on other aspects of the services the hospital provides to the community, not least the ability to provide a comprehensive accident and emergency service.

“I look forward to being able to raise these and other issues with NHS Tayside management at the earliest opportunity.”

Mr Marr has admitted that a review of the children’s ward is under way.

“It is true that we are experiencing some short-term operational difficulties at the children’s ambulatory ward at Perth Royal Infirmary,” he said.

“This includes staffing pressures, specifically with junior doctors specialising in paediatric medicine, a situation which we are actually also seeing at Ninewells and one which is replicated across Scotland at the moment.

“To help us with this our clinical director is now looking at a whole range of options for paediatric services across Tayside.”

Officials have refused to rule out closure of the ward but it appears campaigners and politicians will leave them in no doubt as to the strength of local feeling.

The MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, Gordon Banks, expressed his alarm.

He said, “It would be a disaster if the children’s ward were to close.

“Although it is not in my constituency it serves a great slice of Ochil and South Perthshire, and closure would mean increased travel and increased hardship for my constituents at a difficult time when a young member of the family has to be admitted to hospital.

“If there is a problem with funding then the Scottish Executive has to release more finances to ensure this vital facility remains in place. I will of course be in contact with NHS Tayside to make sure every possible step is taken to retain the children’s ward.”

His position was mirrored by Labour Party colleague, Mid Scotland and Fife MSP and shadow public health minister Richard Simpson.

He said, “I am wholeheartedly against this closure and this move will negatively impact on families.

“Decisions like these cannot be taken on a whim and must be subject to full consultation. Quite simply this doesn’t appear to be happening here.”