The Paediatric department provides high quality, timely health care and support to children across Sunderland, South Tyneside and North Durham. Our expert staff deliver a range of inpatient and outpatient services covering many different areas of health care so that children can access local expertise and have their care delivered close to home. Our aim is to put the child at the centre of each of our interactions with them so that they, their parents and carers can have confidence in our highly trained, dedicated team, whether the interaction is a hospital emergency or a community clinic.

As part of the Path to Excellence work, 24 hour cover and inpatient services will be offered from the Sunderland Royal Hospital site from summer 2019 with eight until late cover from South Tyneside Hospital in a medically staffed unit.

Guidelines

  • All guidelines and protocols have been written primarily for use within the Paediatric Department/Paediatric Emergency Department Sunderland Royal Hospital and take into account the best available evidence at the time of their creation and review, as well as current recommended best practices.
  • Protocols and guidelines are reviewed regularly and altered as required.
  • All care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of these guidelines and protocols.
  • No responsibility or liability is accepted for the use or misuse of these protocols and guidelines outside Sunderland Royal.
  • The reader should take all due care to ensure that the information contained within the following pages is accurate.

Paediatric emergency care

What we do

Our staff see children brought directly by parents/carers and emergency referrals from GPs, NHS 111 service and 999 ambulance at all hours on all days of the year.

Our dynamic multidisciplinary team includes junior doctors and Consultants from Paediatric Emergency Medicine, General Paediatrics and Emergency Medicine; Emergency Nurse Practitioners and nurses.

We work closely with local specialty teams to provide high quality emergency care for children 0-16 years with a wide range of illnesses and injuries.

An 8-bedded Children’s Short Stay Assessment Unit (CSSAU) is co-located within PED and is overseen by PED staff 9am-10pm 7 days a week. This enables us to provide care for children who require a short period of observation but don’t require hospital admission.

Most patients who require ongoing inpatient care are admitted to the Paediatric wards at Sunderland Royal Hospital. A minority are transferred to Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle for specialist/intensive care each year. 

Our Consultants provide Paediatric Trauma Clinics three days per week for follow up of children seen in Pallion Urgent Care Centre and PED with minor injuries as well as weekly Rapid Access Clinics for children with urgent general paediatric problems who don’t require same day assessment in PED.

 

Who we are

  • Dr Charlie Atkinson - Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Emergency Medicine (Clinical Lead for PEM)
  • Dr Myra Herbert - Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Dr Niall Mullen - Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Dr Chris McKie - Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Dr Sarah Prudhoe - Consultant in Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Mr Raj Khanna - Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Dr Darren Bresnen - Consultant Paediatrician with an interest in PEM
  • Dr Rhona McCrone - Consultant Paediatrician with an interest in PEM
  • Dr Andy Mellon - Consultant Paediatrician with an interest in PEM
  • Mal Hayden-Duck - Departmental Manager
  • Hannah Stoker - Directorate Manager
  • Sue Lane - Matron

 

Where we are based

Paediatric Emergency Department (C level)
Sunderland Royal Hospital
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP

 

How you can contact us

PED reception – 0191 5656256, extension: 42083

Children's physiotherapy

What we do 

We are a small team of physiotherapists who specialise in the assessment and treatment of children from birth to 18 years (or until they leave special school aged 19 years). We treat children who have a general delay, disorder of movement, disability or illness, which may be improved, controlled or alleviated by physiotherapy intervention. 

Examples of some of the conditions seen include:- 

DEVELOPMENTAL AND NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS e.g. Gait Problems (e.g. toe walking, in-toeing), Cerebral Palsy, Developmental delay, Head injuries, Learning disability – with physical disabilities, Infections of the brain, spinal column and peripheral nerves, Erbs palsy, Genetic/Chromosomal disorders, Developmental co-ordination difficulties – Dyspraxia

CONGENITAL ABNORMALITIES e.g. Talipes, Congenital dislocation of the hip, Arthrogryposis, Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Congenital limb deficiencies

DISORDERS OF BONES, JOINTS, MUSCLES AND SKIN e.g. Muscular dystrophies, Torticollis and Plagiocephaly, Inflammatory disorders of muscles and joints e.g. juvenile idiopathic arthritis, Epidermolysis Bullosa, Perthes

Routine musculoskeletal problems following injury or fracture should be referred to the Physiotherapy musculoskeletal (MSK) service currently provided by Connect. Following assessment, if physio staff feel that the child may benefit from being seen by a Paediatric Physiotherapist they will refer onto Children’s Physiotherapy.

Who we are

Mel Hurst 
Clinical Lead Physiotherapist
mel.hurst@stft.nhs.uk 

Where we are based

We are based at Palmer Hospital in Jarrow, but we also work into South Tyneside schools / colleges, pre-school environments and family homes as required.

How you can contact us 

REFERRALS - Referrals are accepted from consultants, GPs and health care professionals. Referrals will be triaged for appropriateness of referral. Parents and referrer will be informed of receipt of referral.

Referrals to and contact us at:-
Children’s Physiotherapy Service, Palmer Community Hospital, Wear Street
Jarrow. Tyne & Wear NE32 3UX   Tel. 0191 4028038
 

Children's Physiotherapy - SRH

What we do 

Paediatric Physiotherapists assess and treat children and young people who have a wide variety of needs and conditions.  The team provides care to all children and young people both at the Children’s Centre and community settings.

Who we are

  • Clinical Team Leader: Mrs Allison Galloway
  • Reception: Mrs Carole Anderson

Where we are based 

Physiotherapy Department
Children’s Centre
Durham Road
Sunderland
SR4 3AD

How you can contact us 

0191 5699123

Children's speech and language

We provide comprehensive services for children and young people (CYP) in South Tyneside, who have difficulties with speech, language and communication (SLC) and/or eating, drinking or swallowing (EDS) difficulties.  Our role includes assessment and diagnosis of difficulties in these areas. Therapy may include the provision of advice and programmes to parents, carers and education staff, individual or group therapy or the provision of an alternative means of communication.

We support CYP and their families to adapt and manage changes, in all areas of their lives relating to communication and/or feeding/swallowing difficulties.

We work in partnership with agencies especially Social Services, Local Authority and charitable organisations to reduce the impact of these isolating difficulties on CYPs well-being.

Our aim is to maximise the communication potential of all CYP who have SLC difficulties and to ensure safe, effective feeding for children with EDS, working as part of  the multi-disciplinary team.
We operate an open referral system. Referral forms can be obtained by contacting the relevant department.

Who we are 

Our teams comprise of Speech and Language Therapists and Speech and Language Therapy Assistants working in the areas of Community Paediatrics and Special Needs. 

Where we are based

Department of Speech and Language, Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre, Prince Edward Road, South Shields. NE34 8PS

  • Clinics are provided in South Shields at the following venues:
  • Stanhope Parade Health Centre
  • Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre
  • Palmer Community Hospital in Jarrow

Children are also seen in Early Years, Nursery and school settings in South Tyneside, including Hedworthfield Language Unit and Harton Secondary Resource base, Fellgate Autistic Unit and three local specialist schools.

How you can contact us 

For all enquiries relating to Children’s SLT in South Tyneside contact:

Department of Speech and Language, Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre, Prince Edward Road, South Shields. NE34 8PS

Tel: 0191 283 2484 & 0191 283 2485
Email: ChildrensSpeechandLanguage@stft.nhs.uk

Hours of Operation are from Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm. Answer-phone facility at other times.
 

Paediatric Community Audiology

What we do 

This service offers a screening service for children up to the age of 16 where there are professional or carer concerns about hearing or if a child has had an unsatisfactory School Hearing Screen.

Referral is usually made by a health visitor or School Nurse, but any health professional can refer with parent/carer permission.

This department works closely with ENT and hospital audiology services.  Clinics are held at Sunderland Royal Hospital, the Galleries Health Centre and Central Clinic, Children’s Centre

Who we are

Dr Gemma Ward    
Associate Specialist

Janet Hill
Secretary 

Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

Community Audiology, Central Clinic, Children’s Centre, Durham Road, Sunderland SR3 4AF

How you can contact us 

0191 5656256 extension 45266

Children’s Out Patient Department

What we do 

Central Clinic is a four consultation room children’s outpatient department.  This child friendly clinical area provides a base for specialist assessment of children requiring medical and social support as well as those with hearing difficulties. 

Opening Hours:  8:30am – 5:00pm

Who we are

This is a medically led service: 

Sister Sharon Thompson    
Nurse supporting service

Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark    
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

On entering the car park from Durham Road, turn first left and enter through the side door, turn left to the top/end of the corridor, turn right to entrance to Central Clinic.

How you can contact us 

0191 5656256 reception extension 45266, nurse’s extension 45225

Community Children's Nursing Service

What we do 

This is a generic children’s nursing service for children age 0-18 years. We provide care for children with acute and long term health needs in their home.  As named nurses and delivering community based care we aim to:

  • Facilitate early discharge from hospital to continue care at home
  • Prevent unnecessary hospital admissions
  • Reduce out- patient visits
  • Act as a link between the community and hospital and all other agencies involved with the family
  • We recognise that each child, young person and family units are individuals and have individual needs. We assess the physical, emotional and social needs of the child and family
  • Teach and support families with skills and knowledge to enable them to be cared for in the community
  • Actively promote health education

  Opening hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm

Who we are

Jill McDermott
Team Lead    

Paula Mulvaney
Specialist Community Nurse

Laura Thompson
Specialist Community Nurse

Claire Cook 
Nursery Nurse

Tina Pitchford
Nursery Nurse

Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

Niall Quinn Children’s Centre, Sunderland Royal Hospital

How you can contact us 

Contact number 0191 5699975 or email: 

Children and Young People's Diabetes Service

What we do

The Children’s Diabetes Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) is a multi-professional team serving the population of Sunderland, North Easington and surrounding areas.  

The core team currently comprises four consultant paediatricians (0.8 WTE), four Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurses (PDSNs) (4 WTE), one Health Care Assistant (0.5 WTE), one Psychological Therapist (0.5 WTE), three Specialist Diabetes Dieticians (SDD) (1.0 WTE), one secretary (1 WTE), and one Admin Officer (0.5 WTE).  

The team usually has a registrar training with a special interest (SPIN) in diabetes as part of the team, dependant on trainee allocations from the Northern Deanery.  The clinical lead is Dr Neil Hopper. We have close links with colleagues in the adult diabetes service (led by Dr Peter Carey) which ensures smooth transition to this service. 

The service supports children with diabetes from 0-19 years old.  There are usually around 180 CYP in the service.

In-patient services are provided at Sunderland Royal Hospital (SRH), almost exclusively on ward F64. 

We also provide in-patient facilities for children from the catchment area of South Tyneside Hospital. Children with diabetes from South Tyneside who need admission (including DKA at diagnosis) come to Sunderland Royal.  We also take a smaller number of in-patient admissions from the Gateshead (Queen Elizabeth Hospital) area.

Who we are

Dr Neil Hopper
Consultant Paediatrician

Dr Josephine Flowers
Consultant Paediatrician

Dr Vicky Whittle
Consultant Paediatrician

Lisa Wilson
Diabetes Nurse

Allison Young
Diabetes Nurse

Julie Evans
Diabetes Nurse

Ann Berry
Diabetes Nurse

Paula Mulvaney
Diabetes Nurse

Mr Neil Trennery
Psychological Therapist

Mrs Jill Hanratty
Health Care Assistant

Caroline Robson
Secretary

Julie Doughty
Administrator    

Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

Out-patient facilities for both children and young people are provided at the Niall Quinn Children’s Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital in a variety of age banded clinics.  Transition and Transfer clinics are held in the adult Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine Unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

How you can contact us 

Main hospital switchboard 0191 5656256 and Paediatric Team 0191 569 9794
 

Children's Epilepsy Service

What we do

We provide an epilepsy service to children and young people aged 0–19 years in Sunderland and surrounding areas. Referrals are via GP’s, Paediatric Emergency Care Department and in-patient wards, children are initially seen by a consultant paediatrician with a specialist interest in epilepsy or a consultant paediatrician with expertise in epilepsy and neuro-disability as required. 

There is a consultant led weekly review clinic with the specialist nurse in attendance, in addition to this there is weekly nurse led clinic for new referrals and review patients.  A consultant paediatric neurologist from the Great North Children’s Hospital the regional tertiary centre visits the Niall Quinn Children’s Centre twice a month to provide a paediatric neurology outreach clinic for complex cases where a neurology opinion/advice is required.

The service has one full-time specialist nurse who’s role it is to work within both hospital and community settings seeing new referrals, educating and training on diagnosis and emergency medication to both children and their families, external agencies i.e. nurseries, schools, colleges, respite care etc. Also providing ongoing training to other members of the multi-disciplinary team, i.e. ward staff, health visitors, and school nurses as required.

The specialist nurse attends meetings for education, child in need and case conferences as required to provide support and key information required.  The specialist nurse provides ongoing support to children and families around their epilepsy, reviewing their seizures, supporting around medication adjustments, weaning medication and providing support in preparing young people for transition to adult services as required.

Who we are

Lisa Emmerson
Children’s Epilepsy Specialist Nurse 

Dr Geoff Lawson
Consultant Paediatrician 

Dr Karen Horridge
Neurodisability Consultant

Dr Carl Harvey
Neurodisability Consultant 

Dr Madhuri Dasarathi
Neurodisability Consultant
Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

Based in the Niall Quinn Children’s Centre, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Kayll Road, Sunderland, SR4 7TP.

How you can contact us 

Call 0191 5699805 or email Lisa.Emmerson@chsft.nhs.uk / lisa.emmerson1@nhs.net

Paediatric Gastroenterology Service

What we do

We work with children and young people with gastroenterology, enterally fed, including Crohns and Colitis IBDU, Coeliac and complex constipation.

Working closely with staff on all paediatric wards regionally and at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust.  One day a week we work in to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

Our team facilitates home visits, support within the community setting and training. We are also available to offer advice and reassurance, management over the telephone.

Out-patient facilities for both children and young people are provided at the Niall Quinn Children’s Centre at Sunderland Royal Hospital throughout County Durham in a variety of age banded clinics.  Transition and Transfer clinics are held in the Niall Quinn Children’s Centre and County Durham with support from the adult gastroenterology team.

Who we are

Helen Wood
Paediatric Gastroenterology Specialist Nurse 

Dr Darren Bresnen
Consultant

Dr Andrew Mellon
Consultant
     
Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

Niall Quinn Children's Centre, Sunderland Royal Hospital

How you can contact us 

Helen Wood, Paediatric Gastroenterology Specialist Nurse, Niall Quinn Children's Centre CHS Kayall Road SR4 7TP 

Mobile: 07799663518 

email: helen.wood28@nhs.net or main switch 0191 5656256 extension 42489
 

Niall Quinn's Children's Children Centre

What we do

The Niall Quinn Children’s Children Centre (NQCC) is the children’s outpatient department at Sunderland Royal Hospital.  The NQCC is a 10 consultation room children’s outpatient, purpose-designed stand-alone department. It has direct access to the main hospital and the paediatric wards.  

The NQCC sees children requiring the following speciality; general paediatrics, respiratory, allergies, diabetes, epilepsy, endocrine, neuro-disability, gastroenterology and the NQCC holds a weekly paediatric cardiac clinic held in the Neonatal Unit. 

The nursing team run their own nurse led clinics, including phlebotomy, skin prick testing, urine microscopy and observation monitoring. Specialist nurses also hold nurse-led clinics, in respiratory, allergy, endocrine, gastroenterology, diabetes and epilepsy.

Visiting teams from Newcastle include: cystic fibrous team, rheumatology and the genetics team.  

Adult based specialities who review children include: ear nose and throat, general surgery, haematology and orthopaedics. 

Open hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 – 17:00 closed all bank holidays and weekends.

Who we are

Sharon Thompson 
Department Manager  

Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

On entering the Kayll Road entrance the NQCC can be found directly to the right

How you can contact us 

Direct line 0191 5699868

Specialist School Nursing

What we do

Our role is to work in partnership with the child/young person, family, other health care professionals, education and social care. To promote the health of the child, prevent disease, support with the individual complex health needs and support and maintain access to education. The team uses a multi-disciplinary approach by working with external agencies and fellow healthcare professionals, in order to meet the child/young person’s individual health needs. This is facilitated by: 

  • Providing specific health needs training and support to education staff. 
  • Contributing to the development of documentation such as education health care plans and individual health care plans. 
  • Providing home visits where needed. 
  • Supporting and assist other health professionals within the school environment. 
  • Providing specialist interventions including, gastrostomy/NG tube care, tracheostomy care and suctioning. 
  • Providing initial assessment of the child/young person who become unwell within Portland Academy and Sunningdale School 
  • Transition support. 
  • Contributing to the safeguarding agenda. 

The service operates Monday – Friday 08:30-16:30, excluding bank holidays.

The service is not restricted to term time only. 

There is a Specialist School Nurse based within Sunningdale School and Portland Academy.  

Advice and support to mainstream schools is also offered to Children and Young people with special educational needs with an associated health need and/or complex health need. Pupils of Sunningdale School and Portland Academy have open access to the service. The child/young person can self refer or are referred by their family, education staff or other health professional.  All other referrals can be made via telephone contact or written referral.

Who we are

Kristy Ramsey
Specialist School Nurse

Jackie Butterworth
Divisional General Manager

Joanna Clark
Directorate Manager

Richard Allsop
Matron

Where we are based

During Term Time 

Sunningdale School
Shaftoe Road
Springwell
Sunderland
SR34HA

Portland Academy 
Weymouth Road 
Chapelgarth 
Sunderland 
SR3 2NQ 

School Holidays 

Niall Quinn Children’s Centre 
Sunderland Royal Hospital 
Kayll Road 
Sunderland 
SR4 7TP 

How you can contact us 

During Term Time 
Sunningdale - 0191 5280440/07500571709 kristy.ramsey@nhs.net  
Portland - 03339991455/07500571624
School Holidays 
0191 5656256/07500571709/07500571624

Community Paediatrics

Some of our services are provided outside the hospital – in the community.  There are lots of different parts to the community paediatrics branch of the Directorate, including:

  • Looked After Children/Vulnerable Children Service – provides assessments and treatments for children who are looked after by the local authority, or who are involved in the child protection system. 
  • Audiology – providing hearing testing for children. 
  • Enuresis – help for children with bedwetting (referred through school nursing). 
  • Children with Special Educational Needs. 
  • Difficulties that are affecting their overall developments. 

Who we are 

General Paediatrics

Dr Darren Bresnen Gastroenterology and PEM
Dr Katherine Eastham Respiratory medicine
Dr Jo Flowers Endocrinology and diabetes
Dr Sue Gray Consultant, diabetes
Dr Neil Hopper  Endocrinology, diabetes and CFS
Dr Prashant Kumar Respiratory medicine and allergy
Dr Rhona McCrone Named Doctor Safeguarding and PEM
Dr Andrew Mellon Gastroenterology, PEM and Director of Medical Education
Dr Vicky Whittle Locum Consultant, Diabetes and PEM
Dr Laura Stoddart Consultant Paediatrician 
Dr Satyam Veeratterpillay Consultant Paediatrician 

Neurodisability

Dr Madhuri Dasarathi Neurodisability
Dr Carl Harvey Neurodisability and autism
Dr Karen Horridge Neurodisability, complex disability and palliative care 

Safeguarding and Looked After

Dr Kim Barrett Designated Doctor for Safeguarding Sunderland,
Named Doctor Safeguarding South Tyneside
Dr Emma Cadamy Community Paediatrics
Dr Sarah Mills Locum Consultant, 
Designated Doctor Looked After Children

Paediatric Emergency Medicine – please see Paediatric Emergency Medicine page

Dr Charlie Atkinson Clinical Lead PEM 
Dr Siri Gautam  Consultant PEM (currently on secondment)
Dr Myra Herbert Consultant in PEM
Dr Niall Mullen Consultant in PEM
Dr Sarah Prudhoe Consultant in PEM
Dr Chris McKie Locum Consultant  

Neonatal Unit

Dr Majd Abu-Harb Clinical Lead, Cardiology and neonatology
Dr Ruppa Geethanath Neonatology
Dr Lorna Gillespie Neonatology
Dr Imran Ahmed Neonatology
Dr Chike Owuneme Neonatology

Associate Specialists

Dr Sue Desai Audiology, enuresis and Looked After Children
Dr Maha El Hejaji  Autism and General Paediatrics
Dr Gemma Ward Audiology and Looked After Children 

 

Matron
Richard Allsop

Paediatric Wards Managers

Maria Lynn  Ward F63
June Innes Ward F64
Joanne McKenna Ward F65

 

Children’s Outpatient Department
Sharon Thompson, Sister

Where are we based?

Sunderland Royal and South Tyneside District Hospital 

How you can contact us

Sunderland Royal Hospital Switchboard 0191 5656256
South Tyneside District Hospital Switchboard 0191 4041000

 


 

Children’s Community Nursing Team - South Tyneside District Hospital

What we do

We aim to avoid or reduce hospital stay, by providing care at home where it is safe to do so. We see children with a nursing or medical need who live within the borough of South Tyneside aged 0-19 (according to need). We work seven days a week 08:00-18:00 except for bank holidays 08:00 to 13:00.

 

Who we are

Team Leader -  Gill Gunn

Specialist Practitioner -  Ann Long and Sisters Carly Riley and Amie-Jane Swindon

Staff Nurses - Heather Anderson, Brogan Tallack and Stephanie DeGiovanni

Community Nursery Nurses -  Anne-Marie Hendry and Janet Marshall

 

Where we are based

We are based at Clarendon House, Windmill way, Hebburn, NE31 1AT

 

How you can contact us

Email: stft.ccnteam@nhs.net or Childrenscommunity.nurses@stft.nhs.uk

Telephone 0191 283 1141 or team mobile 07939 282 012

South Tyneside Children and Young People’s Diabetes Service

What we do

The South Tyneside Children and Young People’s Diabetes team is committed to providing high quality care to children and young people with Type 1 Diabetes. We follow regional and national guidelines. Our purpose is to ensure a co-ordinated, child-centred approach to the diagnosis, treatment and continuing management for these children, young people and their families.The ultimate aim is to empower them to manage their diabetes with confidence in all situations, to support and enable them to achieve their maximum potential in all aspects of life. 

We utilise all endorsed technology and submit data to the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit annually and act upon these reports to continually develop our service further.  We are very proud of our achievements as one of the top performing units in the country.

Who we are

  • Dr Gabriel Okugbeni – Consultant Paediatrician,
  • Joanne Henderson – Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse,
  • Val Campbell – Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse,
  • Kirsty Goodwin – Dietitian,
  • Roseanne Raine – Dietitian,
  • Alexandra Jones – Diabetes Administrator,
  • Sue Pearce – Paediatric Secretary
  • Clinical Psychologist – waiting to be appointed

Where we are based

Ward 17, Diabetes Centre
South Tyneside District Hospital
Harton Lane
South Shields
NE34 0PL

How you can contact us

0191 202 4117

Children’s Occupational Therapy Service

What we do

We are a specialist service, who work with children and young people aged from birth to 18 years, who are unable to complete the daily occupations they need to, want to or are required to do.

Daily life is made up of many occupations such as:

  • Self-care tasks such as feeding, dressing, bathing and brushing teeth
  • Productivity tasks such as handwriting, using scissors and using a ruler
  • Leisure activities such as riding a bike and enabling children and young people to be able to play with toys

We work with the child or young person and their family to identify meaningful goals. We complete a range of assessments to identify any barriers to a child’s occupational performance and use graded meaningful activities to maintain, develop and maximise their independence in their daily occupations.

How you can contact us

South Tyneside

Children’s Occupational Therapy Department: 0191 402 8067
Monday- Friday 8:30 - 4:30 pm

Sunderland

Children’s Occupational Therapy Department: 0191 569 9123
Monday- Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Where you can find us

South Tyneside
Children’s Occupational Therapy
Palmer Community Hospital
Wear Street
Jarrow
NE32 3UX

Sunderland
Children’s Occupational Therapy
Children’s Centre
Durham Road
Sunderland
SR3 4AD

Who we are

How to refer

South Tyneside

Children can be referred by any health professional. Referrals are accepted for children and young people living in South Tyneside, with a South Tyneside GP.

Sunderland

Children can be referred to Children’s Occupational Therapy via their Sunderland Royal Hospital Paediatric Consultant on V6. Referrals are accepted for children living in Sunderland with a Sunderland GP.

Please note equipment loans for children in Sunderland are accessed via Sunderland City Council via: https://www.sunderland.gov.uk/article/12944/Apply-For-Help-With-Your-Care-And-Support-Needs

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