1
There was submitted a motion in the following terms:
"Council is deeply disappointed at the decision made by the Health Secretary to close the Children's Ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Council believes that the excellent and much loved children's services at the hospital should be retained within Renfrewshire and therefore calls on the Health Secretary to reverse the decision.
Council further instructs its Chief Executive to write to the Cabinet Secretary setting out the Council's view that the Ward remains open."
Councillor Kennedy, seconded by Councillor Strang, moved the motion.
Councillor Nicolson, seconded by Councillor Cameron, moved as an amendment that Renfrewshire Council acknowledges the changes proposed for three of the current paediatric services currently delivered at the RAH, the raised concerns about the provision of services locally and the anxiety that change creates for current service users.
Council notes and accepts that the decision was taken based on professional assessment of clinical needs and with the support and opinion of qualified paediatricians as being the best option for children and families requiring wrap around medical support.
Council also notes that the NHSGCC Consultation Report Paper No 17/03 clearly explains the clinical basis for the decision and that paediatric services will continue to be delivered from Paisley RAH.
"Future Services at the RAH and in Renfrewshire
3.1 Our proposal is to move inpatient and day case care from the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) to the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC), this will allow effective use of our clinical teams to maintain strong clinical presence in outpatient services at the RAH and compliance with Royal College standards at both sites.
3.2 Children's services will continue to be provided at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) as follows:
- A&E will continue to receive paediatric patients who self-present;
- Outpatient clinics will continue to be provided;
- Specialist Community Paediatric services (PANDA Centre).
3.3 Services that will transfer to the Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) will be:
- emergency inpatient admissions, including short stay medical assessment;
- elective inpatient admissions;
- day case activity including day surgery and planned investigations."
On the roll being called, the following members voted for the amendment: Councillors Adam-McGregor; Burns, J Cameron, Provost L Cameron, Councillors Campbell, Audrey Doig, Don, K MacLaren, M MacLaren, McEwan, McGurk, McNaughan, Mylet, Nicolson, Paterson, Rodden, Shaw and Steel.
The following members voted for the motion: Councillors Begg, Bibby, Binks, Brown, Davidson, Devine, Andy Doig, Dowling, Grady, Harte, Hood, Kennedy, Kerr, J MacLaren, McCartin, McCulloch, McIntyre, Montgomery, Sharkey, Sheridan and Strang.
18 members having voted for the amendment and 21 members having voted for the motion, the motion was accordingly declared carried.
DECIDED: Council is deeply disappointed at the decision made by the Health Secretary to close the Children's Ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital.
Council believes that the excellent and much loved children's services at the hospital should be retained within Renfrewshire and therefore calls on the Health Secretary to reverse the decision.
Council further instructs the Chief Executive to write to the Cabinet Secretary setting out the Council's view that the Ward remains open.