NHS Lothian has re-instated round-the-clock paediatric services at St John’s Hospital.

Scotland’s Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has welcomed the move that will come into effect on the 19^th October.

In 2017 patients were transferred to the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh after overnight services at the children’s ward were suspended for the third time in five years amid staffing issues.

In March 2019 a four-day-a-week overnight staffing rota commenced.

A review of efforts to improve round-the-clock staffing levels at the facility in June concluded ‘considerable progress’ has been made but it was still ‘extremely fragile’. The Health Secretary said today she had received assurances from the health board the situation would be “closely monitored” to avoid any disruption.

Ms Freeman said: “Having met local families who were campaigning to have the full service re-instated, I know they will also be delighted.

“I am grateful to NHS Lothian for their considerable recruitment efforts to ensure the service can be safely resumed on a 24/7 basis. 

“Patient safety must always be the paramount concern and it was important a safe and sustainable staffing model was established before the commitment to a round-the-clock inpatient service was made.”

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