Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative & Unionist MSP for Lothian and the Shadow Public Health Minister, has added his name to a petition opposing the plans to centralise cleft lip and palate surgery at one site in Scotland which will see the removal of the current service at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children.
The petition has been signed by around 5,800 people. Miles is again calling on the Health Secretary to pause the plans. On 21 June 2016 NHS board chief executives decided to approve the recommendation of the National Specialist Services Committee to centralise cleft lip and palate surgery in Glasgow. Miles has already written to Shona Robison calling for her to intervene and has tabled a Parliamentary motion on the subject which has been signed by Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs.
Speaking today Miles said: “This is a critical time for the future of cleft lip and palate surgical services in Scotland and I am pleased to add my name to the petition which has attracted so much public support.
“I am again calling on Shona Robison to intervene personally and halt the centralisation plan. She should do this without any further delay.
“I continue to be contacted by a significant number of constituents in Lothian and indeed parents and clinicians from all across Eastern Scotland who are deeply alarmed at the proposals and the potential for a loss of expertise and excellence in Edinburgh. The Edinburgh service has very high audited outcomes for children and enjoys a great deal of support from local parents and this should be protected.
“The fact that my Parliamentary motion- which has been marked for a possible Member’s debate- has attracted broad cross-party support from Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs as well as members of my own party demonstrates the level of concern on this matter and should make the Scottish Government have a rethink.”
