NHS Lothian has announced that measures have been put in place to help patients and their families following the cancellation of the opening of the new Sick Kids hospital. The health board has also issued an apology to those affected.
Health minister Jeane Freeman stepped in to halt the scheduled move of services from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Sciennes and Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the Western General Hospital to the new site at Little France, on the eve of the planned move.
A special helpline has been created to answer questions from paediatric patients and their families and those who were also due to attend DCN.
Those requiring emergency services for children should not do anything differently and should go to the existing A&E department in Sciennes in the city.
Anyone who arrives in an emergency situation at the new hospital to use the A&E department will still receive urgent care from expert teams at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. If the situation is not life-threatening, but still requires care, NHS Lothian will arrange for the patient and their family to be transferred to the Sciennes building.
Patients who have an appointment over the coming days will be contacted by the teams who normally provide their care to update their appointment details and explain where they should arrive.
Jacquie Campbell, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “I would like to apologise to patients who may be confused and worried about the plans for their care and reassure them that we have a raft of contingency plans in place.
“The most critical point is that A&E will not move. In an emergency, patients should still take their children to the building in Sciennnes.
“Patients who have an appointment scheduled in the new building will be contacted by their team either at the existing Royal Hospital for Sick Children or the Western General Hospital to arrange an alternative location and every effort will be made to retain the same date and time, if possible.
“We have a dedicated helpline in place to answer any questions and concerns that patients may have about their forthcoming appointment.”
The decision to halt the scheduled move of all patients, staff and services was taken after final safety checks of the building showed that the ventilation system within the critical care department needs further work to bring it into line with national standards.
The air environment is extremely important and can help prevent the occurrence and spread of infection in patients who are already vulnerable.
Urgent work is now underway to draw up a safe and detailed migration plan, in conjunction with Health Facilities Scotland, which will be overseen by Scottish Government.
If you have any questions or queries, the dedicated helpline number is: 0800 028 2816. This is open 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.
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