Current status: Answered by Shona Robison on 2 February 2018
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-13949 by Shona Robison on 19 January 2018, whether families currently being treated at Ward 15 at the Royal Alexandra Hospital will have financial support for travel considered as part of individual treatment plans to be agreed before paediatric services are transferred to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.
As set out in my response to question S5W-13949 and the Statement I delivered to Parliament on 23 January 2017, my approval of these proposals is conditional on: NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde maintaining and developing community based paediatric services, thereby maximising local provision where clinically appropriate; and on the Health Board working directly with families from the Paisley area on specific treatment plans. These plans must be in place before any service changes are made, and will ensure that there is a full understanding of what services and support will be available to local families and from where. This will include transport and financial support advice. The Royal Hospital for Children has a dedicated Family Support Information Service which offers support for families accessing the hospital. It provides funding to cover transport, fuel, travel expenses, or other forms of assistance identified by the family or medical and nursing staff on the wards.