Planned North hospital concern for patients without car

Aug 12 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal

CONCERNS have been raised about the location of a proposed new specialist emergency care hospital near Cramlington.

Over the past three months there has been a public consultation on £200m plans to build a new emergency care hospital for people living in Northumberland and North Tyneside.

Health chiefs want to transfer all serious emergency care cases from North Tyneside and Wansbeck general hospitals to a new centre near Moor Farm roundabout, Annitsford, Cramlington.

Serious emergency care, consultant-led maternity services and special care baby units will be moved from the two hospitals to the acute care site.

But a joint health scrutiny committee from North Tyneside, Northumberland and Newcastle councils have said there would be “considerable difficulties” for patients’ families to access the centre.

A report by the committee said: “In respect of the proposals for the new emergency care hospital members noted that the location had not yet been determined although sites around the A19/Moor Farm roundabout/Cramlington area were being considered.

“Whilst it was noted that sites are still being explored a visit with the Trust’s land agent to possible sites indicated that people without a car will experience considerable difficulties in getting to the site of the proposed new hospital particularly at off-peak times and at weekends.

“Only one of the sites was close to Cramlington bus/rail interchange and most were on spinal roads rather than residential areas served by bus services.

“The practicalities of how families, at a time of significant trauma, access any new hospital in that vicinity were of concern to members particularly as the North East has a very low level of car ownership.

“Statistically those most vulnerable to A&E admissions are those with the most restricted income and lowest level of car ownership, eg older people and those with long-term conditions. It was noted that taxis are not an affordable option for many local residents particularly those on benefits.”