NHS 'must not take control of New Pyjamas'

THE campaign to raise £15 million for the New Pyjamas campaign should not come under the control of the NHS, a Lothians MSP has said.

Liberal Democrat Mike Pringle urged Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon to stop the health board taking control of the crisis-hit New Pyjamas campaign.

It has been reported that NHS Lothian bosses wanted to strip the Sick Kids Friends Foundation – the charity responsible for New Pyjamas – of its independence, though the Evening News understands the SKFF would strongly resist such action.

In parliament, Mr Pringle said having such a high-profile campaign run both by and for NHS Lothian would not be sensible.

Ms Sturgeon agreed that the SKFF should have a major role in future fundraising for the new Sick Kids Hospital, due to move to Little France in 2013.

Mr Pringle said: "Does Ms Sturgeon acknowledge that moves to bring the charity under control of NHS Lothian, as some people have suggested should happen, would not only be unprecedented in the UK but endanger charitable giving from the general public?"

Ms Sturgeon said the SKFF's involvement in any new appeal would be "crucial".