THE children’s critical care unit at a North-East hospital has become on the first units of its kind in the country to be independently commissioned to provide high dependency care.

The unit at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough is equipped to care for very sick children and young people requiring the latest high dependency support including non-invasive ventilation.

Its highly trained staff can support patients undergoing a wide range of specialised children’s surgery including tracheostomies, scoliosis and orthopaedics and holistic care for families.

Paediatric consultant Jonathan Grimbley said: “We are delighted to launch this dedicated children’s critical care unit.

“The unit meets all the latest national standards for the best possible high dependency care for very sick children and will become a model for other regions to follow.

“Our highly experienced medical, nursing and allied staff will help ensure patients receive the right care, as close to home as possible.”

Medical director Sath Nag added: “This is a real feather in the cap for James Cook and our brilliant paediatric staff.”