CAMPAIGNERS have warned that the closure of a children's ward during the summer could be a "trial run" ahead of the service being axed permanently.
CAMPAIGNERS have warned that the closure of a children's ward during the summer could be a \"trial run\" ahead of the service being axed permanently.
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Helen McArdle
NHS Lothian announced earlier this week it would be shutting its children's ward at St John's Hospital in Livingston for three weeks from July 9 because of staff shortages.
Medical director Dr David Farquharson said the board had exhausted all options trying to find appropriate cover, but the combination of losing their trainee paediatricians in April and a high number of locum doctors taking annual leave in July meant they could not guarantee safe staffing levels if one of their medics suddenly took sick leave.
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