Petition to reopen children’s A&E overnight passes 1,500 signatures

A petition to return the Children’s A&E department to 24-hour opening has passed 1,500 signatures.

For the past two years the service has closed overnight, due to staffing issues primarily caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Is currently closed between 8am and midnight each day.

The petition was started by Skelmersdale mum Hayley Thomas, who was turned away recently while seeking medical attention for her child.

The department is the main accident and emergency service for a catchment area that includes tens of thousands of children.

The closure also has the knock-on effect of diverting much-needed ambulance cover away from the area for a prolonged period of time.

A spokesperson for Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust said: “The children’s accident and emergency department at Ormskirk hospital began temporarily closing overnight in April 2020. The decision was made because the Trust could not maintain safe and consistent medical cover. It was taken on the advice and recommendation of a team of senior Trust doctors.

“We keep the temporary overnight closure under review. However, the staffing situation has not changed.

“In the meantime, children’s A&E is open seven days a week, 8am to midnight. Parents needing urgent medical advice after midnight should call NHS 111. In an emergency, always call 999. Ambulance patients will be taken directly to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.”