Elaine Brunskill
Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland’s primary care trusts (PCTs) are now working under a single management team, NHS South of Tyne and Wear, which is threatening to end all children’s in-patient services in Gateshead and South Tyneside for cases where over 23 hours of care is needed.
The consultation document proposes just one single dedicated paediatric unit at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Their website boasts: “We use your views to help improve, design and shape local NHS services.” Yet Dr David Hambleton, at a recent consultation meeting, admitted that even two million negative responses wouldn’t guarantee that the proposals would be scrapped.
In Gateshead there is growing anger over these savage plans. Activities by Socialist Party members and the Public Service Alliance campaigning against the proposals have been overwhelmed with support. Parents are fearful of the impact of these changes.
The PCTs argue that illnesses such as asthma and diabetes can be dealt with in the child’s home with support from healthcare staff. However, their glossy brochure points out that the children’s community nursing team will only be available “from early until late each day during the week and for reduced hours on Saturday and Sunday”. What should parents do if their child is ill outside these hours?
