Paediatrics

Changes to Emergency Paediatrics in South Tyneside

From 9am on Monday 5 August 2019 a new model of emergency paediatric care came into operation at South Tyneside District Hospital. The Trust introduced the changes following an extensive public consultation process carried out by South Tyneside and Sunderland Clinical Commissioning Groups in 2017.

This means that from Monday 5 August 2019:

• The Special Care Baby Unit at South Tyneside District Hospital will be closed to admissions (with all neonatal care provided from Sunderland Royal Hospital)
• The Children’s Emergency Care Department at South Tyneside District Hospital will close every night at 10pm and reopen every morning at 8am
• Parents and families will be told not to attend South Tyneside District Hospital after 10pm at night and advised to:
  • Call NHS 111 for urgent medical advice
  • Go directly to the Children’s Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital
  • Call 999 for an emergency ambulance

A widespread information and public awareness campaign began in June to make sure the public in South Tyneside were aware of the changes that took place.

Our new model of emergency paediatric care will greatly improve the resilience of our services by bringing together our clinical and nursing teams.  Our aim is to make sure children are seen promptly by the right healthcare professional 24 hours a day, seven days a week – this includes ready access to specialist paediatric consultants 24/7 if this is required.
 
Our services in both South Tyneside and Sunderland are staffed by highly experienced teams who have trained and worked in emergency care over many years.  Changes to overnight paediatric care will affect a very small number of children but mean that children from South Tyneside will have equal round the clock access to specialist paediatric consultants if they are seriously ill or injured in the middle of the night.

Thank you all for your support as we implemented these important changes.

Paediatrics Phase 1B (August 2021)

On Wednesday 4th of August 2021, Children's A&E services at South Tyneside Hospital changed to South Tyneside Urgent Care for Children. This is a new nurse led service. 

This means that from Wednesday 4th of August 2021: 

The new Urgent Care for Children at South Tyneside Hospital, will treat children from birth up to the age of 16. It will treat children for minor injuries and illnesses which are urgent but not life threatening. 

The Children’s emergency department at Sunderland Royal Hospital will treat children from birth up to the age of 16 who have life threatening problems.  

A public awareness campaign began over the summer in 2021 to make sure the public in South Tyneside were aware of the changes that took place. 

Please note there has been a recent temporary change to the opening times of the South Tyneside Urgent Care for children. With effect from Monday 7th of March 2022, the new nurse led service will be open 9am – 9pm daily.