Call for talks on kids’ ward

THE leader of West Lothian Council is seeking a meeting with Health Secretary Alex Neil to discuss the potential ­downgrade of the children’s ward at St John’s Hospital.

It has emerged that the service, which was temporarily downgraded in the summer, is once again under threat due to a lack of trainee paediatric ­doctors across the region.

But at a council meeting, it was agreed that the authority will seek an urgent meeting with Mr Neil.

Council leader John McGinty said: “West Lothian has a growing young population and the Paediatric Service is ­essential. West Lothian Council condemns any move to ­diminish the service at St John’s Hospital as a ­downgrade of the hospital.”