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 two A&Es, as at present, would not be sustainable for both strong clinical, safety and financial reasons
Councillors from different areas did not agree on the merits of the Southport option with councillors from 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 single carriageway road that links the two 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.
Southport councillor Cllr John Pugh was one of Sefton’s three representatives at the meeting.
During his time as Southport MP, he fought hard against the removal of Children’s A&E from Southport Hospital 24 years ago.
He 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 two 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 by-pass 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.
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