Gerard Butler battling to save children’s ward in hometown hospital

Gerard Butler is backing a campaign to save a children’s ward at his hometown hospital from closure.
The London Has Fallen star hails from Paisley, Scotland and was born at the city’s Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH).
Earlier this week (beg17Oct16) local health chiefs pushed ahead with a proposal to close the ward and transfer children’s services to another hospital in nearby Glasgow by launching a public consultation about the plans.
Gerard, 46, has given his backing to Paisley residents who are campaigning to save the hospital, and has demanded bosses at the Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board abandon the idea.
“I am shocked and disappointed to hear this news,” he tells the Paisley Daily Express. “I am currently working abroad, however I do keep in touch with events in my home town and this is really sad news.”
Speaking about his personal connection to the medical centre he adds, “I pointed out the fact that my family had reasons to be thankful for the great work of ward 15 at the RAH.
“The closure of the ward would be a real blow for Paisley, its people and, most of all, its kids. I have been in touch with the campaigners and support them fully in their efforts to save our services.”
Health board bosses have proposed shutting the ward, with Glasgow’s new Royal Hospital for Sick Children taking a large proportion of children’s admissions.
Some children’s cases will still be treated at the Paisley hospital. Local residents have started a petition protesting against the plans.