The patients spend half their time recovering at home and often require specialised nursing attention, particularly in paediatrics.
Advances in obstetrics and paediatrics in the past 58 years are also beyond dispute.
Indeed, the consultation is explicit about the commitment to retain accident and emergency, critical care and paediatrics at both hospitals.
External members of the steering group include representatives from professional associations covering nursing, paediatrics, social services, psychiatry, police and professions allied to medicine.
Some major work of national and international importance is taking place in our admirable paediatrics department.
Doctors in general surgery, general medicine or paediatrics—some of the major specialties—do not get to bed.
Why are we unable in many areas of the country to recruit consultants in psychiatry, anaesthetics, paediatrics, accident and emergency, and orthopaedics?
With paediatrics would have gone obstetrics and most of the maternity services from the area where many of the region's babies are born.
