This week I'd like to draw your attention to an important consultation which will decide the future of acute health services for children across Gateshead. I am asking for your views on the matter before I make my own submission.
Thankfully, childhood illnesses are now very rare and children and young people rarely need hospitalisation but the consultation says that children have more chronic illnesses such as asthma and diabetes, which can be treated at home.
The NHS for the South of Tyne and Wear has been looking at how best to provide services inside and outside hospital for acutely sick and injured children and they have issued a consultation document and arranged a series of meetings.
The formal consultation asks patients, health professionals and the general public to give their views on the future of services across Gateshead, Sunderland and South Tyneside and public meetings will allow people to hear more about the two options on offer and to express their views on them.
The bottom line is that both options would see children's in-patient beds in Gateshead closed. In future children who need to stay in hospital for treatment would instead go to a dedicated paediatric inpatient unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital or to the Great North Children's Hospital at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. I know this is a worry for some constituents.
There are many other proposals in the report such as strengthening the Community Children's' Nursing team, which is very welcome, and retaining other paediatric services and assessment in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
I think it is really important that people are aware of these plans, take the chance to ask questions and express their views on them. I will shortly be meeting NHS South of Tyne and Wear to discuss the report and to take up the issues which constituents have already raised with me.
There will be a public meeting open to all on Thursday 16 February from 6pm, Caedmon Room, Gateshead Library, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 4LN. I would urge you to attend the meeting or to respond in writing. The consultation ends on 31st March 2012.
Full details of the consultation and meetings can be found at http://www.sotw.nhs.uk/yoursay/consultations/acute-health-services-for-children-and-young-people/
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
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