Mams calls on health bosses to rethink South Tyneside Hospital future
Health bosses will meet this week to decide hospital's future
As health bosses meet to discuss the future of South Tyneside Hospital, a South Shields mam has been telling us why services shouldn't go to Sunderland.
As it stands, stroke and maternity services are among the care provisions that are set to move to Sunderland.
Patients, families and MPs gathered at the hospital on Friday to show their opposition to the plans.
One of the mams who knows what it could be like for the ward to close is Adele Baker.
Her first two kids were born at the hospital - but for her newborn Jack she had to give birth at the RVI in Newcastle - a £45 taxi ride away.
Adele said the staff at South Tyneside made all the difference to her:
"The staff were absolutely brilliant, I used to walk in and they used to know my name - anytime you needed help and advice, they were there on the phone.
"Even when I was transferred over to the RVI, I was still ringing them to get advice and they were there for us - they've been my rock through everything."
The meeting will take place on Wednesday in Hebburn.
Dr Matthew Walmsley, chair of NHS South Tyneside CCG and a local GP will chair the meeting in common of the two statutory NHS organisations.
Dr Walmsley said he recognised the high level of public interest in the final decisions.
He said:
“Over the last few months both Clinical Commissioning Groups have been considering all the information gathered during the formal consultation from the public, patients, staff, the two hospital trusts, clinical networks, the North East Ambulance Service and other stakeholders such as campaign groups, elected members and members of parliament.
“So there is no element of doubt and to be categorically clear, retaining the status quo and not making any changes is simply not an option for these vulnerable services – and as health care leaders who are senior doctors and nurses in charge of local health services we must act in the best interests of patients – our first and fundamental duty of care to our patients is to do no harm."