TRANSPORT for the families of seriously ill children at Worcestershire Royal Hospital are the top of the list of concerns for a patient watchdog.

Peter Pinfield, chairman of Healthwatch Worcestershire, has raised concerns with the NHS bosses about transport between the north of the county and the hospital, in Worcester, ahead of the 'temporary' centralisation of paediatric inpatient services in Worcester on September 7.

He is seeking assurances that provision is in place for families to get home and that there are facilities for parents who stay with their children overnight.

In a letter to interim chief nursing officer Jan Stevens he says: "Regarding arrangements for transport for any Redditch families who do not have any recourse to any other transport source, am I right in assuming that if it requires an ambulance then parents/guardian can go in the ambulance to the Worcester site?

“But if they then have to get back home what are those arrangements if they have no other method of getting back?

"For those parents who need to visit their sick child at Worcester will there be in place arrangements?

“The detailed public leaflet outlines "discussions are taking place" which I understand will take some time, but I am concerned what will be in place from day one and in the short term ?

“Secondly , I know that the medical professionals have indicated they will be able to cope with the increased capacity but if parents/guardian have to stay in overnight or throughout any emergency situation is there sufficient overnight stay accommodation?"

A spokesman for Worcestershire Acute Trust told the Worcester News: “A parent is encouraged to stay with a child in hospital and should this be overnight, we have reclining chairs and 'z beds' for a parent to sleep on beside their child’s bed.

"We have a parents facility on the ward which includes a sitting room with tea/coffee making facilities and vending machine should the parent not wish to leave the ward, plus shower/toilet room for parents."

They said transport plans are being reviewed as a part of the ongoing Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire programme

"The plans include on-going discussions with the county council and local community transport providers about improving the frequency and choice for public transport between Redditch and Worcestershire Royal Hospital," they said. "We have contacted our volunteer drivers to seek support on a case-by-case basis. Families with financial difficulties can approach social care to see if they are eligible for state funded travelling expenses.”

The centralisation has been blamed on a shortage of doctors and bosses at Worcestershire Acute Trust say it is necessary to preserve safety.

Children who are seriously ill attend via ambulance or are referred by their GP will no go to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch but will be seen by paediatric teams at Worcestershire Royal.

Children’s outpatient service at the Alexandra will remain unchanged.