NEW measures have been put in place to deal with young patients needing accident and emergency treatment during a hospital staffing crisis.

It will involve some injured children being transferred from North Yorkshire to Teesside by ambulance.

Two weeks ago, it was revealed that some maternity and children’s services will close at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton from Friday until October 26.

The move is the result of staffing shortages caused by sick leave and retirement and action is under way to recruit new staff.

However, the temporary closures caused by the “unprecedented”

staffing pressure will have a knock-on effect on the accident and emergency department, particularly if a child is seriously hurt, so bosses have come up with a contingency plan.

Staff in the department will continue to deal with children’s minor injuries such as sprains, strains and scrapes.

But if a child has a more serious injury or illness, they will be instead be taken by ambulance to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Consultant Samit Mitra said: “The ambulance service is aware of the changes, so if they pick up a child who needs emergency treatment, they will be taken straight to James Cook.

“However, we know some parents and carers bring children directly into accident and emergency, so the advice we’re giving them is to go straight to their nearest accident and emergency department or to the department at James Cook.”

He added: “During the summer holidays we do see lots of children with minor injuries and we will continue to offer treatment to children with these types of injuries in the accident and emergency department at the Friarage.”

Children’s services to be temporarily closed at the hospital include paediatric surgery and the special care baby unit, which looks after seriously-ill and premature infants.

The midwifery-led unit will continue at the Friarage for women whose delivery is expected to be straightforward, and children can still attend outpatient appointments.