THE paediatric department at Redditch's Alexandra Hospital is set to close with services moved to Worcester.

The shock move, slammed by campaigners, means sick children will no longer be able to be treated overnight at the Alex.

Instead all in-patient care for children will be carried out at Worcestershire Royal Hospital.

Described as ‘temporary’ health bosses say say they've been forced to make changes because of safety concerns.

Dr Andrew Short, Worcestershire Acute Hospital Trust’s interim medical director and senior consultant paediatrician said: "This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we recognise that this will for some be a cause of concern.

"Safety is our top priority and I would like to reassure the public that we are making these temporary changes so that we can ensure the highest levels of care for children."

He added: “Our consultants over many months have continued to work additional shifts to cover vacant junior doctor rotas to keep the paediatric inpatient service going on both sites. This is no longer sustainable.

"The national shortage of doctors coming through training for paediatric posts, means that many trusts have vacant junior doctor posts. In addition, despite an active recruitment campaign, we have been unable to attract doctors to fill the vacant posts left as a result of the junior doctor shortage. This presents a significant issue for the trust in providing specialist paediatric doctor inpatient 24/7 cover on two sites.

From September the Alex Hospital will continue to see and treat children with minor illnesses and minor injuries but children who are seriously ill will no longer come to Alex.

They will be seen and assessed by expert paediatric teams at Worcestershire Royal.

It comes just days after the trust officially confirmed that the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire's proposed clinical model, one repeatedly attacked as ill-conceived and unbalanced by campaigners, has been given the go-ahead.

Dr Short said: "Over the coming weeks we will be working to ensure local people are aware of this temporary change.

"NHS 111, the ambulance service and GPs will be able to support anyone concerned about a child’s condition, with parents encouraged to take sick children who might need a hospital bed to Worcestershire Royal Hospital. However, should a child be brought into A&E at Alexandra Hospital and need to see a paediatrician they will be taken by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.”

Dr Richard Davies, speaking on behalf of Worcestershire's three Clinical Commissioning Groups, said: “We have known for some time that the paediatric service has been fragile at Alexandra Hospital but we had hoped that the trust could keep it going until the public consultation on the acute services review had taken place.

"However, this is no longer possible. We have a responsibility to commission safe and secure services and the shortage of staff means it would be unsafe to continue with the current arrangements."

Neal Stote, from campaign group Save the Alex, said he was "deeply disappointed but not surprised" by the controversial move.

"Another part of the clinical model has been forced through under the guise of a 'temporary' closure ahead of the planned consultation which is fast becoming a joke," he said.

"This isn't temporary but a permanent move in the same way the removal of maternity was."

He added: "The focus now must be on ensuring the arrangements for what parents with sick children do from September are properly explained and there is widespread understanding of them. Given the trust, and the NHS as a whole, has an horrendous track record when it comes to communications, consultation and engagement with the public we don't hold out much hope.

"They need to get out from behind their desks in Worcester and make a proper effort to reach as many parents as possible who will be deeply worried by this decision. They owe us that at least."