Children’s A&E Likely to Return to Southport Hospital Thanks to Local NHS Preferences
Southport Conservatives Welcome News That Return of Children’s A&E and 24 Hour Emergency Services to Southport Hospital is the Preferred Option of Local NHS
Southport Conservative spokesperson Mike Prendergast has today welcomed the news that the preferred option of the local NHS, following the Shaping Care Together NHS consultation, is the return of a full 24-hour A&E service, including Children’s A&E, to Southport Hospital.
Mike Prendergast said, “This is a massive moment for Southport. Children’s A&E was taken away under the last Labour government, during a time when Southport was represented by a Liberal Democrat MP. Today’s news, whilst not guaranteeing the service will return to Southport, makes it the most likely outcome.”
“It also thanks to the years of hard work and relentless campaigning by many local people—and it is, without doubt, great news for Southport.”
“As someone who has lived in Southport for 25 years, now with 2 young children of my own, I know how important it is for families across the area to have access to emergency children’s care in our town. It has long been the position of Southport Conservatives that for a town of over 90,000 people, Southport needed to see its Children’s A&E service return.”
“It was never acceptable for families to have to travel to Ormskirk and between Midnight to 8am, have to travel to Liverpool, at least 45 minutes away.”
The campaign to restore children’s emergency services has taken many years and has been led by Southport Conservatives, supported by thousands of residents who signed the Conservative petition to reinstate the service. It will continue until the service is reinstated at Southport Hospital.
Conservatives in Southport, including the town’s former MP, Damien Moore, played a key role in pressing the case with ministers and NHS leaders, alongside sustained public pressure and local lobbying.
Mike Prendergast commented, “The most recent consultation process began before the last general election, and throughout it, Southport Conservatives have kept up the pressure.”
“We even secured cross-party support for our campaign at Sefton Council when a Conservative motion backing the return of services was unanimously supported by all parties”
“This is proof that with determination, unity, and Conservative leadership, real change can happen.”
The potential return of a full 24-hour A&E and dedicated children’s emergency care will make a profound difference to local families, reducing travel times and improving outcomes.
Mike Prendergast concluded: “This news should be the first milestone in getting the services back in Southport, and whilst it does not mark the end of the campaign it is hopefully the beginning of the end of a process that will see Southport, once again, have a 24-hour Emergency Care Service, including Children’s A&E.”
“We promised to fight for our NHS Services in Southport, and we are showing that we can deliver.”
Notes to editors:
https://www.lancashireandsouthcumbria.icb.nhs.uk/SCTJC/4-july-2025
Confirmation that Southport Hospital is the preferred option is cited at paragraph 2.12 of the Shaping Care Together – DRAFT Pre-Consultation Business Case (PCBC) and DRAFT Consultation Document