Disgust At Closure Of Special Care Baby Unit
A MOTHER who owes her son’s life to a Tyneside special care baby unit said she is disgusted a decision has been made to close the service.
In December 1995, Samantha Wright’s son Daniel was born 10 weeks prematurely after the pensions officer developed the life-threatening blood pressure condition pre-eclampsia.
Daniel weighed just 2lb 11oz. He fought for life at Sunderland General before going to North Tyneside General for five weeks.
Samantha, 37, of Killingworth, said: “The staff at the unit were fabulous. They talked us through any worries we had and were extremely supportive.
“When a baby is born prematurely it can be stressful so it was important to us that Daniel was in the hospital nearest our home.
“I felt he was in the best possible hands. The staff really helped us get through it.
“When I read the special care baby unit was closing I was shocked and disgusted. I think it’s terrible.”
More than six months ago, the hospital, at North Shields, changed its structure, becoming midwife-led, and the number of babies using the unit dropped.
A decision was made to downgrade the unit to transitional care, serving only babies needing short-term treatment.
Mum-of-one Samantha, who lives with husband Carl, 37, said: “I worry about what will happen to the parents whose babies need special care in North Tyneside.
“Many would want their babies treated near their home but that choice has now been taken away from them.”
Daniel, 12, is now a George Stephenson High School pupil and is in full health.
The special care baby unit has been running since 1984 and Debbie Reape, general manager of children’s services, said change was inevitable.
She said: “We have been monitoring the situation for six months and we came to the conclusion that half the beds should move to Wansbeck and the other half should remain where they are for transitional care. From discussions we estimate most staff will want to continue working with special-care babies and the team may move to Wansbeck.”
