Sturgeon responds to Sick Kids campaign

Alex Salmond and Nichola Sturgeon

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Scottish Health Minister Nicola Sturgeon, has responded to concerns over the future of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children by agreeing to meet with campaign leaders.

The 'Hands off the Sick Kids' campaign, led by former tumour patient Ross Newlands, 16, gained the public eye thanks to the backing of the Edinburgh Evening News.

Sturgeon met with Newlands and his father to talk about the issue in the run up to the government’s decision on whether to centralise health services.

She told them: "Without pre-empting the [final] decision, I hope you will feel the right decision has been made when we get there."

National healthcare experts are reviewing paediatric services in Scotland, to assess whether top level neurology and children’s cancer services would be more effective if centralised on one or two main sites.

The Scottish Government will consider recommendations during a three month consultation period before announcing a final decision.

Ms Sturgeon said: "As a Government we are very committed to having services as close to home as possible. People don't want to travel if they don't have to.

"I am very committed to the Sick Kids and any decision we take will be with keeping services as close as possible in mind.”

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