Our children's urgent and emergency care teams looks after children and young people up to age 16.
They do this in our Children's Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital and at Urgent Care for Children at South Tyneside District Hospital.
We treat lots of different illnesses and injuries.
If your child has a life-threatening emergency, they must go to Sunderland, not South Tyneside.
What services do we provide and where?
Patients come to the Children's Emergency Department (ED) directly with their parents or carers or as an emergency referral. This could be from:
- a GP
- NHS 111
- 999 ambulance
Our ED is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We treat the most serious illnesses and injuries - things that are life-threatening emergencies.
Our team is made up of lots of different doctors, nurses and medical professionals. They all specialise in working with children.
Children who come to the ED might:
- be able to go home the same day
- stay in our Children's Short Stay Assessment Unit (CSSAU)
- be admitted to one of our Children's Wards
Most children who need to be admitted stay at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Some might be moved to Great North Children’s Hospital in Newcastle for specialist or intensive care treatment.
Our Urgent Care for Children service at South Tyneside District Hospital is open from 9am until 9pm every day.
If your child has an emergency outside of these hours, they will need to go to the Children's Emergency Department at Sunderland Royal Hospital instead.
Our Urgent Care for Children service treats children up to the age of 16. This is for minor injuries and illnesses which are urgent but not life threatening. These include:
- Broken bones
- Children with mild breathing problems
- Common childhood infections in the chest, ears or throat
- Children who are being sick or have diarrhoea
- Cuts and open wounds that need closing
- Minor burns
- Minor bumps or head injuries
- Sprained ankle or a strained muscle
We have a Children's Short Stay Assessment Unit (CSSAU) at Sunderland Royal Hospital. This is in the Children's Emergency Department.
There is 8 beds in the CSSAU. These are for children who need to be monitored closely for a while but don't need to stay in hospital overnight.
This is open from 9am to 10pm, 7 days a week.
If your child has an eye-related emergency, they should go to Sunderland Eye Infirmary.
Before you go there, you need to phone the team so they know you are coming. You can call 0191 569 9951.
We have specialist ophthalmologists (eye doctors) who can treat children.
Where can I find out more?
Children's Emergency Department (Sunderland)
The Children's Emergency Department (ED) is at Sunderland Royal Hospital.
Use Entrance 2 on Kayll Road. It is to the right of the Main Entrance and to the left of the Adult Emergency Department.
Urgent Care for Children (South Tyneside)
Urgent Care for Children is at South Tyneside District Hospital.
Use the Emergency Care entrance in the main building. This is to the left of the Ingham Wing Main Entrance and to the right of the Outpatients entrance.
Children's Short Stay Assessment Unit
This is in the Children's ED at Sunderland Royal Hospital. Use Entrance 2 on Kayll Road. It is to the right of the Main Entrance and to the left of the Adult Emergency Department.
Eye Emergency Department
This is at Sunderland Eye Infirmary. Use Entrance A for Accident and Emergency.
Our senior team in Children's Emergency Care
- Divisional Director - Sheena Fish
- Directorate Managers - Chris Black and Lisa Ball
- Matron - Sue Lane
