Stafford's County Hospital closes A&E to children due to safety concerns

The interim measure came into force at 10am this morning after an internal investigation.

Trust bosses have stated there are a lack of sufficient staff with very specific levels of paediatric and anaesthetic training, including resuscitation and life-support competencies.

Stafford Conservative MP Jeremy Lefroy said he is "deeply disappointed" by the suspension and is pushing for the matter to be "resolved urgently".

MORE: Campaigners vow to take their concerns over the decision to PM

"It is a vital part of our local NHS, serving some 30 of my younger constituents every day," he added.

"The safety of patients is paramount and so I understand the trust's decision to suspend the service.

"But the trust also has a clear responsibility to restore this essential service as soon as is safely possible."

A spokesman for University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust said: "The unique Children's Emergency Centre service was created in May 2015 as part of the three year integration of the Trust.

"However, the clinical model implemented as part of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust Special Administrator recommendations has been deemed unviable at the current time following a number of safety concerns highlighted in a draft report by the West Midlands Quality Review Service (WMQRS).

"These relate to the lack of sufficient numbers of staff with very specific levels of paediatric and anaesthetic training, including resuscitation and life-support competencies.

"Senior clinicians have now spoken with staff in detail, and carried out a thorough review of the training received as well as both competence and confidence levels around the issues highlighted. It has become apparent that concerns raised by WMQRS cannot be addressed in the short-term, which is why we have temporarily suspended the service.

"Nationally the standards for what is considered safe care in A&E paediatric care have risen over the last twelve months, and the WMQRS findings reflect this."

Adult Accident and Emergency is not affected and remains open 14 hours a day between 8am and 10pm.

Parents have been told to take children with minor illnesses and injuries to their GPP or pharmacist.

Youngsters in need of emergency care will be taken to the nearest available hospital.

Liz Rix, Chief Nurse and Acting Deputy Chief Executive, said: "I fully appreciate the impact these temporary changes will have on families in Stafford and the surrounding area, and understand that people will be very concerned about this news.

"However, we cannot and will not continue to deliver services without the confidence that those services are safe.

"I want to thank my fellow clinical colleagues for reviewing the situation and for their advice, which has led to us taking this difficult short term decision.

"This allows us the space to examine future options for safe children's services at County Hospital with input from our staff, regulators and partners."

Dr Ann Marie Morris, Clinical Director and Emergency Medicine Consultant, said: "I want to reassure parents that we have taken this decision in the best interests of children.

"Whilst it is regrettable that some children may have to travel further for care, our first priority has to be providing a safe clinical service.

"People view the Children's Emergency Centre as a safety net, but this is only the case when the right number of professionally trained experienced staff are in place at all times.

"This is not currently the case, and as we cannot resolve this in the short-term the only responsible course of action we can take is to suspend the service."