Ulster's only infant surgery unit facing permanent closure

Local & National

Friday, February 02, 2007

By Deborah McAleese

Northern Ireland's only surgery unit for infants is facing permanent closure - despite Government reassurances three months ago that it would reopen in March - the Belfast Telegraph can reveal today.

Although the Royal Hospital Trust confirmed there will be no cuts to paediatric services, there were major concerns that the closure of the specialised unit could have an adverse impact on the level of care provided for the hundreds of babies admitted for surgery every year.

Staff at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children told the Belfast Telegraph they were informed by health chiefs last week that the unit, which was closed temporarily in September due to staff shortages, is unlikely to reopen.

The infant surgical unit provides a service for up to 400 sick infants every year, many of whom require highly specialised surgery and post-operative care.

The service is currently housed in the Royal's burns and plastic surgery unit and was expected to move into a new dedicated unit following refurbishment.

In November, Health Minister Paul Goggins reassured MPs during parliamentary questions that a new unit would be ready for use in March. He told DUP MP Iris Robinson: "The unit was originally situated in one of the oldest parts of the [hospital] building. That ward has been temporarily closed, and patients have been relocated within other wards in the hospital. As part of a refurbishment within [the hospital], the infant surgical unit will reopen in new facilities adjacent to an existing children's surgical ward. This will provide improved accommodation that can more appropriately meet the needs of ill babies and their families.

"It is expected that this new unit be ready for use in March 2007. These temporary arrangements have not led to any reduction in beds or diminution of the service."

However, a member of staff with the Royal Hospital for Sick Children told the Belfast Telegraph: "We were told last week that the unit may not reopen and that a final decision would be made on February 6.

"We are all quite upset by this news as we believe the babies will get better care if they are in the proper unit. We are not concerned about ourselves as there has been no threat to jobs, we are concerned about the welfare of the babies. Parents do not have the privacy, particularly breast feeding mothers, that they once did in the dedicated unit."

The Royal Hospital's Trust stressed that a "reconfiguration" of services has not led to any reduction in services provided.

A spokeswoman said: "The infant surgical services within the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children have been reconfigured within the hospital. There has been no reduction in beds - we still have 106 - no infant surgery treatment has been affected and the service to our patients remains unchanged.

"We have checked our records and there are no complaints about this issue, however, we would urge anyone who has any issues about the hospital to contact the trust helpline on 0800 137 736."