Government urged to get involved over Ormskirk children's A&E closure
The UK government is being urged to intervene in the planned closure of the children's A&E department at Ormskirk Hospital, which is set to move to Southport Hospital in 2029. The move aims to reinstate round-the-clock emergency care for youngsters across West Lancashire and Sefton, but has raised concerns among local health leaders and residents.
Lancashire County Council's health scrutiny committee has requested that the health and social care secretary review the plans to close the children's A&E department at Ormskirk Hospital. The department is set to move to Southport Hospital in 2029, creating a single 24-hour A&E service for adults and children. The move aims to reinstate round-the-clock emergency care for youngsters across West Lancashire and Sefton. However, local health leaders and residents have raised concerns about the impact of the move on travel times and access to emergency care. The committee has questioned whether the move is in the best interests of health services in West Lancashire. A public consultation was carried out, but some residents felt that the outcome was already decided.
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