Whether paediatric in-patient services at Monklands Hospital will resume and, if so, when.

No decision has been taken on the future of paediatric in-patient services at Monklands Hospital, which is primarily a matter for NHS Lanarkshire. In August 2002 Lanarkshire NHS Board announced a full strategic review to consider paediatric services across its area. The remit of the review group is:to look at the children's health services commissioned by NHS Lanarkshire, identifying strengths, weaknesses and opportunities;to make recommendations for prioritised development of services, andto make specific recommendations for robust and sustainable paediatric in-patient services. I understand that the review group aims to report to the NHS board at its meeting in October 2003, when a decision on the future configuration of paediatric services will be taken. Guidance has been issued to the health service which is clear in stating the importance of consultation and public involvement in service change (HDL(2002)42 Consultation and Public Involvement in Service Change: Draft Interim Guidance, Bib. number 21063). This guidance will shortly be revised to reflect the increasing importance of this issue. NHS Lanarkshire are aware that they must engage in full and transparent consultation with all stakeholders, including parents, clinicians and elected representatives, on the long-term configuration of paediatric services.