Emergency Support Fund

Families of children who have been referred to Aberdeen or Edinburgh because their treatment isn’t currently available at the oncology department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow are to receive financial support.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced that the QEUH Emergency Support Fund is being set up immediately to help, where needed, families affected by the present situation in Glasgow with the costs of travel, food and accommodation for the duration of their treatment outwith the city.

Ms Freeman said:

“Dealing with the trauma of having a child in hospital is distressing enough for families without the added anxiety of meeting travel, food and accommodation costs.

“I am clear that the safety and wellbeing of all patients and their families are my priorities, and I am making available access to immediate financial support for those families affected by the current situation at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site. Claims can be backdated to when the patient was first referred for treatment outwith Glasgow.”

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde Chief Executive Jane Grant said:

“We apologise for the distress caused and for the additional inconvenience for the five patients admitted to Edinburgh and the two patients admitted to Aberdeen during the last few weeks.

“We welcome the additional support that this fund will give to families.”