Battle looms over changes
A legal battle could be fought over a decision to move hospital services to Sunderland from South Tyneside.
For several months, protesters have been vocal in their opposition to what they say is a “downgrading” of services at South Tyneside District Hospital in Harton Lane, South Shields.
Decisions on the future of stroke, obstetrics (maternity) and gynaecology and paediatrics (children’s) emergency services at both Sunderland Royal Hospital and South Tyneside District Hospital were made on Tuesday by Sunderland and South Tyneside Clinical Commissioning Groups as part of the controversial ‘Path to Excellence’ public consultation.
Now the Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign group has enlisted the help of law firm Irwin Mitchell to challenge the legality of the decisions made based on a consultation it claims to be “flawed”.
The firm has written to the NHS trusts and CCG’s involved, and South Tyneside Council, to outline the serious concerns held by the group.
But Dr Ian Pattison, clinical chairman of NHS Sunderland CCG and a local GP, said there was a very positive future for hospital care across South Tyneside and Sunderland.
He added: “We fully understand that local people are passionate about retainingverylocalisedservicesbut we are sure that everybody will understand that we are responsible for ensuring we get the best possible services across South Tyneside and Sunderland both now and into the future.
“This means that we are sometimes faced with difficult decisions and we must do the right thing in the best interests of everyone, this sometimes requires making very difficult decisions such as those taken.”