First class training and research facilities
In June 2015 we opened the doors to the Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Cramlington, Northumberland. The first purpose-built hospital of its kind in England, our new hospital is dedicated to treating seriously ill or injured patients who will be brought in by ambulance or referred in by their GP.
It has emergency care consultants working 24 hours a day, seven days a week and specialists in a broad range of conditions on site seven days a week. NHS Medical Director, Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, considers that this hospital “sets the standard for other NHS organisations” and said he had seen a “glimpse of the future” on a visit to the hospital.
In addition, in June 2014 we opened a new facility for the population of Haltwhistle in west Northumberland to provide expert care to predominantly elderly patients requiring inpatient support following illness. It is part of the town’s health and social care scheme which is one of the first facilities of its kind in the country to provide hospital and social care support under one roof.
As part of our ongoing programme of investment, our general hospitals Wansbeck General Hospital, Hexham General Hospital and North Tyneside General Hospital, have all seen development in recent years as we improve privacy and dignity for our patients and enhance ward environments and experience for those coming into hospital for planned care.
We also have a specialist training centre at Hexham General Hospital which runs training courses in laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery to surgeons across the UK and Europe.
We have a dedicated clinical trials facility at North Tyneside General Hospital and in 2014 opened the ‘Synexus North East Research Centre’ at Hexham General Hospital as part of our clinical trials partnership with Synexus.