Plans for hospital change labelled dangerous by MP
Reporter HEALTH bosses have been accused of trying to turn South Tyneside District hospital into a “cottage hospital”.
Emma Lewell-Buck, the South Shields MP, has called for a “full and independent investigation” into proposals to move some services from South Tyneside District to Sunderland.
She believes the plans are “dangerous” for local patients, who will struggle to get to Sunderland to access services.
Last week, hospital chiefs unveiled proposals for changes to stroke, maternity and children’s services at both hospitals as they launched a public consultation.
They say staffing pressures and the need to improve performance mean changes need to be made to what services are provided at South Tyneside District Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital.
But Mrs Lewell-Buck says the proposals “prove the aim is to downgrade South Tyneside Hospital”.
The Labour MP said: “People must remember that the services included here – like the stroke unit and consultant-led maternity services – are things that are fed in and out of A&E.
“This threatens the future of the A&E unit at South Tyneside.
“I believe they want to try and turn it into a cottage hospital and have Sunderland as the main focal point for services in the area – but Sunderland hospital just won’t be able to cope.”
Called “The Path to Excellence”, the consultation will run until October 15, and contains: Three options for stroke services, specifically hospital (acute) care and hospital-based rehabilitation services. Two options for maternity services (obstetrics) and women’s services (gynaecology). Two options to improve children and young people’s (paediatrics, urgent and emergency) services.
For stroke services, the consultation says clinical staff prefer “option 1”, which is to combine all hyperacute and acute stroke care at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
But Mrs Lewell-Buck says medical staff have complained about being “locked out” of the process as the proposals were being formulated.
She said: “Some of these proposals are dangerous and clinicians object to them.”
Dr Shaz Wahid, medical director for South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The key issue is not money but finding the best way to arrange our services. This is a long-term process over several years and, while some options will save money, others are likely to mean extra investment at South Tyneside, as well as Sunderland.”