On Saturday October 14, 2017 South Shields saw hundreds of South Tyneside and Sunderland residents take to the streets against the downgrading of acute services at South Tyneside District Hospital. The day began with a vibrant march from Haven Point, Ocean Road to the market place in South Shields where the rally took place. The march reflected the appeal of the campaign to all ages and different walks of life including a significant number of hospital staff – all coming together to take a stand in defence of our hospital services. The message was loud and clear – this is our NHS and we have a right to access these vital acute services at our District hospital.
This is the second march and rally organised by Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign the first, just under a year ago, was a similar success. However, since then the Sunderland CHS Executive Hospital team has “temporarily” closed South Tyneside hospital’s acute stroke ward declaring that it is “no longer safe and sustainable for either organisation to duplicate the provision of services in each location”. In July they announced proposals to downgrade the hospital’s Children’s 24/7 A&E, the loss of Consultant-led maternity services, the loss of the Special Care Baby Unit and recommended the loss of all hospital stroke services and the consultation on these proposed closed at midnight October 15th. We understand they will make a final decision on these options early in 2018.
We also understand they intend to launch in February next year a new consultation on the review of all other acute services including critical care and our A&E. We haven’t finished yet. We must keep up the fight for our paediatric, maternity, SCBU and stroke services. There are many things to do and we need to be ready to stand together and challenge any further proposals to downgrade our hospital.
This is our hospital! Our workplace! And our NHS! We can and will win join with us to save our hospital.
For further information contact g.taylor@unison.co.uk
Save South Tyneside Hospital Campaign
South Tyneside PSA and Sunderland PSA