| New Children's Unit for Southport Under Serious Consideration |
| Monday, 09 July 2007 | |
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Sefton PCT have confirmed to local MP John Pugh that an Urgent Care or Walk In Centre for Southport children is back on the agenda and under serious consideration. John Pugh met with PCT Chief Executive Leigh Griffin and PCT chairman Paul Acres last Friday. The idea of such a facility was first raised in 2003 but plans were shelved when both the PCT and the hospital met financial difficulties and the old Infirmary site where it was to go was sold off. Now with local NHS finances in a more stable condition disc  ussions are taking place with Alder Hey on better ways to deliver heathcare in the area, closer to home and avoid parents with children making unnecessary journeys for treatment.The MP said "I have long argued that Alder Hey as a centre of excellence should play a key rule in supporting local facilities. There is now the general recognition by NHS bosses that services should be delivered closer to people's homes and that the absence of Children's A&E in Southport leaves a huge gap in provision. Alder Hey are just finishing a major re-design of their services but once that is done I would hope to see proposals following that.The need has not gone away! Photo: John Pugh with Angela Jones Chair of Royal Liverpool Childrens NHS Trust at Alder Hey |