Council repeats call for ward closure talks

Published on 30/06/2012 12:00

WEST Lothian Council is to write to Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon for a third time to ask to discuss the proposed closure of the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital.

NHS Lothian has announced that it is to close the ward for three weeks next month due to a staffing crisis, despite widespread opposition.

Council leader John McGinty said: “We are extremely disappointed that we have still not had a response from the Cabinet Secretary in relation to a meeting being arranged.

“We have already written to the Cabinet Secretary on two occasions asking for an update by the end of this week.

“Given the strength of feeling in West Lothian on this issue, we feel it is unacceptable that we need to write to the Cabinet Secretary on three separate occasions regarding this matter and we look forward to hearing from the Cabinet Secretary at the earliest opportunity.”