Southport MP comment on "inadequate childrens services" and lack of A&E

During a debate last week on “Making Britain the Best Place to Grow Up and Grow Old”, local MP Damien Moore raised the two most pressing health and social care issues affecting young people and their families in Southport today.

Southport Hospital has not had a standalone Children’s A&E since 2003, and earlier this month it was revealed that Labour-run Sefton Council’s children’s services had been rated “Inadequate” in every category by Ofsted, the lowest grade attainable.

In his speech, Southport’s local MP Damien Moore told Parliament:

“As the Minister for Children and Families knows, we discovered in the days conveniently after the local elections that Sefton Council’s children’s services had been rated ‘Inadequate’ in all areas, yet the responsible councillors shamefully remain in office and Southport’s vulnerable children continue to suffer. These children deserve excellent services from their local council.”

Following the report being published, Mr Moore called for the resignations of the Labour Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care, Cllr. Mhari Doyle, and the Labour Leader of Sefton Council, Cllr. Ian Maher. 

This was prompted by a section of Ofsted’s report, which made specific mention of the fact that “over a long period the [Council’s] political leadership has not secured...effective oversight of children’s services”, and that “since the [last] inspection in 2016, there has been a significant deterioration in services”. Cllr. Maher became Leader of Sefton Council in 2015, and was recently re-elected to their position, days before this report came to light.

Government Commissioners have now been appointed to determine whether the Labour-led Council are capable of running the Department themselves, or whether it should be taken out of Sefton’s hands.

Before the pandemic, children in Southport requiring urgent A&E care had to travel to Ormskirk Hospital, where a 24-hour service was provided. Since the onset of the pandemic this service has reduced, meaning that there is now no provision between midnight and 8am. During these hours, families must make a car or ambulance journey of up to an hour to Alder Hey in Liverpool.

In his speech, Damien Moore MP said:

“Southport Hospital has been lacking a Children’s A&E since 2003, when services were rolled into Ormskirk Hospital. During the pandemic, Ormskirk’s A&E stopped providing a 24-hour service, with the result that a child who falls sick out of hours must now travel to Liverpool.

“First, we must see the resumption of the 24/7 service in Ormskirk. Then, and most importantly, we must see the return of the Children’s A&E service to Southport.”

This follows Mr. Moore recently meeting with Health Minister Ed Argar MP, alongside some of his top officials at the Department for Health and Social Care, to discuss the resumption of 24/7 service at Ormskirk, and the return of the Children’s A&E service to Southport. 

Discussions remain ongoing as Mr. Moore continues to fight for his younger constituents and their right to access the health and social care they deserve.

Speaking following the debate, Damien Moore, MP for Southport, said:

“The lack of a full Children’s A&E service in Southport is unacceptable, and the Council’s mismanagement of services for our most vulnerable young people is nothing short of a scandal.

“Southport lost our Children’s A&E under a Labour Government and Liberal Democrat MP. As Southport’s Conservative MP, I am determined to ensure that this service is brought back and that avoidable delays in children receiving urgent healthcare are eradicated. 

“I have already discussed these two pressing issues with the relevant Ministers, and look forward to working over the coming months to secure progress in these areas.”