Children's A&E takes another step on the road back to Southport

THE  return of Children's A&E to Southport took another step along the road as Health chiefs yesterday presented their latest options appraisal to a joint Scrutiny Committee of Sefton and Lancashire Councils.

The data that the NHS decision makers shared with the elected representatives strongly supported the integration of Children and Adult's A& E in Southport, rather than at Ormskirk. It was made clear that having 2 A&Es, as at present, would not be sustainable for both strong clinical, safety and financial reasons

Predictably though Councillors from different areas did not agree on the merits of the Southport option with Councillors from Reform led Lancashire questioning and challenging some of the research and consultation processes that overwhelmingly were leading to the NHS decision to favour the Southport option. 

A critical issue for all the Councillors was the windy road that links the 2 Hospitals, especially as it was made clear that Ormskirk Hospital would continue to handle more outpatient appointments and day surgery. 

 The road has always presented a significant problem for Emergency Vehicles and Ambulances.

 Cllr, John Pugh (Liberal Democrat)  who was 1 of Sefton's 3 representatives at the meeting said:-  "The road problem is common ground and one of the reasons why I and so many other Southport residents so bitterly opposed the NHS moving Children's A&E  to Ormskirk back in 2002.  Even the report underlying that change back then (the Shields Report) explicitly identified the road between the Hospitals as a problem. That report though had none of the mountain of convincing data now pointing to the return of  Children' s A&E to Southport. It's a winding 8.3 mile journey for patients with 8 miles of it being firmly under the control of Lancashire County Council and in the last 2 decades virtually nothing has been done by Lancashire to make the route easier for patients or tourists visiting Southport. I know of nothing in the offing, but hopefully a new future Council that will replace the:- 'soon to be abolished' Lancashire will have a stronger motive to do something if and when Children's A&E returns to Southport. Whether its Burscough curves, an Ormskirk Bypass or just modest improvements Lancashire County Council has been largely oblivious of and unresponsive to Southport's needs. Hopefully though we are now on the road to a better place."

There will be a further presentation to elected members of both Sefton and Lancashire before the NHS makes a final decision.