CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans to shut a children's ward are to meet with the politician who will decide its fate.

Shona Robison, Health Minister, is due in Paisley on Friday after agreeing to meet parents affected by plans to shut Ward 15 at the town’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde board members voted by a majority of 20 to seven to shut the inpatient ward and transfer services to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

The final decision will now rest with

Ms Robison, as the plans have been designated a major service change.

Families have cited concerns about the loss of a local service and lack of public transport links to the Govan hospital.

Four separate petitions have been handed in to the health board opposing the change, with 3,000 signatures.

Karen Meikle, whose sons regularly use Ward 15, said “Ward 15 is like a family to me and my children, the staff are fantastic, if it were not for Ward 15, my Alex wouldn’t be here."

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said no argument had been put forward during the public consultation that was stronger than the clinical case for transferring inpatient and day case care to the new children’s hospital.

Dr Jennifer Armstrong, Medical Director for NHSGGC, said children being treated at the RAH do not have round-the-clock access to specialists, unlike young patients being treated in Glasgow.

She said around 100 children had been transferred to the new hospital last year for specialised treatment, not available at the RAH.