More expertise for children in North East hospital's

Nov 24 2010 by Helen Rae, The Journal

CHILDREN and young adults in need of specialist medical care are set to benefit from a pioneering partnership between hospital trusts in the region.

Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust are joining forces to deliver the best possible care for youngsters in the North East.

Consultants from the Great North Children’s Hospital, based at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, will be holding specialist clinics at the University Hospital of North Durham and Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Consultants from Durham and Darlington will also work part-time at the children’s hospital to develop their interests and skills and those in need of specialist care will benefit from referral to the hospital.

Dr John Furness, clinical lead for children’s Services at County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, said: “For many years we have worked in close collaboration with colleagues at Newcastle.

“In paediatrics, sometimes patients will need to go to specialist centres for care and treatment.

“By strengthening our links with the Great North Children’s Hospital, the regional specialist centre for paediatrics, we can bring that expertise to patients in County Durham and Darlington and provide the best possible care for children as locally as possible.”

The new £100m Great North Children’s Hospital offers the highest level of care to all youngsters, from toddlers to teenagers.

Staffed by world-class doctors and nurses using the latest equipment and medical techniques, it cares for young people with a huge variety of conditions.

Sir Leonard Fenwick, chief executive of Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to be operating in partnership with County Durham and Darlington health services so that the specialist needs of children, parents and carers are put first and foremost.”

There will also be collaboration between the children’s hospital and community paediatric services in Chester-le-Street and Stanley. Stephen Eames, chief executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This is an exciting development for children’s services in the region.

“By formalising the close links we have with the Great North Children’s Hospital across our hospital sites at Bishop Auckland, Darlington Memorial and University Hospital of North Durham, as well as the community paediatric services at Chester-le-Street and Stanley, we believe we can further improve the quality of care provided for children in the North East.”

One youngster who was delighted about the health trusts’ collaboration was Rebecca Hodgson, who yesterday excitedly cut a cake to mark the start of the joint venture.

The 12-year-old, of Stanley, County Durham, is at University Hospital of North Durham following a hip operation.

The Stanley School of Technology pupil said: “I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the launch of the venture.

“It cheered me up as I’ve been in bed all week and I like to be in the centre of things.”

I thoroughly enjoyed being involved in the launch of the venture. It cheered me up as I’ve been in bed all week and I like to be in the centre of things