AN angry mother has hit out at the lack of kitchen facilities on the new children's ward at the West Cumberland Hospital.

Tracy Lancaster said she was "totally shocked and disgusted'' when rushing her five-year-old daughter, Emmy, for emergency treatment to discover there was nowhere on the ward to prepare food.

The little girl, who has life-threatening disabilities, suffers from Cornelia de Lange syndrome which results in her having seizures.  

On a recent emergency 6am visit to the hospital, Tracy found she had forgotten to bring in food, drinks or money.

She said: "I then realised, after Emmy was heavily sedated and relying on a monitor to make sure she was breathing and her heart was okay, that there wasn't anywhere on the ward to get refreshments.'' 

A report in July last year highlighted the possibility that the children's ward may be downgraded to a 'day hospital' and not offer a 24/7 inpatient service - a move which could result in around 431 sick children having to be transferred to the Cumberland Infirmary, Carlisle, every year.

Health chiefs say children’s services will be looked at as part of the wider clinical strategy being developed by the 'Success Regime'.

Tracy said the children's ward staff have been "amazing'' but accepts nurses cannot be expected to make food. 

"They work really hard and want what's best for these children,'' she said. "They do not have time to sit with these children whilst I head off the ward for a drink and food. This is not the answer, nor should it be.''

Tracy also pointed out some children who attend the hospital have limitations on their diets, which was easier to cater for on the old ward, while the kitchen/lounge area also offered a "respite'' for stressed parents.

The family moved from Millom to Mill Hill to be close to the WCH for Emmy's treatment and also so she can attend Mayfield School.

"We have to take her in every time because she won't stop seizing without having the correct emergency drugs,'' Tracy said. "We don't need to go to Carlisle for this simple treatment and I hope we never have to." 

Hospitals, such as Newcastle RVI, have kitchen facilities for parents, she added. "Why are we any less deserving?''

However, a spokesperson for the North Cumbria Acute Hospital Trust, said: “We appreciate that having a child in hospital can be a very difficult time and we aim to do all we can to make the stay as comfortable as possible – both for the child and for their loved ones. 

"Whilst the new Children and Young People’s Ward at WCH does not currently have a dedicated room for parents to use, we are currently looking at how we can make best use of the ward space to enable parents to make refreshments for themselves and have some quiet time away from the bedside.”