People have chance to ask questions at hospital trust AGM

Bosses at South Tyneside Hospital are inviting patients, staff and members of the public to its annual general meeting.

South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust will be hosting the event on Monday at the Clarion Hotel in Boldon, from 3pm top 5pm.

The meeting will be an opportunity to reflect on a busy and challenging year during which the Trust, along with City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, has progressed ‘Path to Excellence’ plans to transform hospital services in South Tyneside and Sunderland.

Completely separate to the Path to Excellence Work, South Tyneside and City Hospitals Sunderland have also announced their intention to formally merge to provide long-term operational and financial sustainability and maximise the benefits of becoming one bigger, stronger NHS organisation for the future.

At the meeting, chief executive Ken Bremner will outline the challenges and priorities for the year ahead.

Mr Bremner said: “We have already seen a number of benefits by South Tyneside and Sunderland working together and in the coming months, as we move towards merger, we will build upon these to deliver many more positive changes for patients and staff. I can say with some certainty that there will continue to be a pivotal role for South Tyneside District Hospital providing services for patients both now and in the future.”

He added: “One of the highlights of the past year has been the dedication and commitment shown by our staff in continuing to put patients first, despite another extremely challenging year.

“At no time was this more evident than during the ‘Beast from the East’ earlier this year when their determination to maintain services in the face of extreme weather conditions made national headlines and me very proud to lead the Trust.”

Trust bosses say other highlights of the last 2017/18 include investment of £1.7m in radiology at South Tyneside District Hospital, including the introduction of a new MRI scanner - the first of its kind in the UK, plus the appointment of the first ever kidney consultant at the Harton Lane site in a joint role across South Tyneside and Sunderland.

There will also be an opportunity at the meeting to meet some of South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust’s directors and governors.

Anyone wishing to submit a question in advance of the event should email Debbie Henderson, company secretary/head of corporate governance at [email protected]