NHS Says Investment plans will help our patients for many year to come

Plans worth a total of over £50 million are being put into place as the NHS across South Tyneside and Sunderland looks ahead to create outstanding facilities and services for the future.
Ad Feature by South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust
Published 23rd Sep 2021, 07:00 BST
An artist’s impression of how the new Integrated Diagnostics Centre (IDC) will look.An artist’s impression of how the new Integrated Diagnostics Centre (IDC) will look.
An artist’s impression of how the new Integrated Diagnostics Centre (IDC) will look.

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust has announced a series of innovative developments which will benefit patients across its area, as well as the whole of the North East.

Projects include:- A new £10 million Integrated Diagnostic Centre in South Tyneside which will provide a PET scanner capable of pinpointing cancer cells, saving patients a journey to Middlesbrough or Newcastle.

- A new £36 million Eye Hospital in Sunderland, moving it to the city centre in a much more accessible location, with the search on for the developer to lead on the building work.- A new £2 million Endoscopy Unit at South Tyneside District Hospital, complementing the sister department based at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

An artist's impression of how the new Sunderland Eye Infirmary could look.An artist's impression of how the new Sunderland Eye Infirmary could look.
An artist's impression of how the new Sunderland Eye Infirmary could look.

The Trust is also preparing to open a new £800,000 outpatient pharmacy inside the Ingham Wing at South Tyneside District Hospital featuring a state-of-the-art robotic dispenser. Plans are also underway to invest in a new £2.5 million Intensive Care Unit at South Tyneside District Hospital, with building work expected to launch in coming months.

Trust leaders say they are excited by the long-held plans, which show a clear commitment to create the ‘very best local services.’

Mr Ken Bremner MBE, Chief Executive of the Trust said: “In the years ahead, these projects will ensure our teams have the very best technology to use and in surroundings which reflect the outstanding level of care they offer.

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on the NHS as a whole and these investments will give us a firm footing as we get more patients booked in for their planned care as quickly as possible and increase our capacity to look after more people in need of care.

They will benefit people across South Tyneside, Sunderland and parts of Durham but will also help patients across our wider region who access many of the specialist services we provide to those from outside our area.

“It is vital that we always keep looking ahead to the future and continue to develop our services. I hope these latest developments offer patients and the public further reassurance that health services across our Trust will be there for them in the years ahead.”

The Trust has run a series of engagement sessions as it takes on the views of residents, community groups and staff as the proposals have come together. To find out more about the plans visit www.ststft.nhs.uk.

Related topics:South TynesideSunderlandNHS