"Vital service"

I have visited the urgent Care center on three occasions in the last year with my baby girl... once with a sickness bug in the night, once with an allergic reaction and another with a bump to the head. Each time we were seem quickly and treated with such care. They not only provided a diagnosis but ongoing care advice. Staff were also very friendly, putting me at ease, comforting my baby girl and support me when I was in tears.

I am saddened and shocked to hear the future of this service is at risk. It is such a peace of mind that we have such a wonderful service near by as hospitals are 30/40mins away (and practically unaccessible in bad weather). I hope the urgent Care center is saved and continued to be recognised for the good work it does.

I have also attend the outpatient department at Shotley Bridge for skin cancer treatment. My baby was a newborn then and it was so important to have this service on my door step during an emotional difficult time and having to take a baby with me. Again staff were absolutely brilliant and accommodating with me having the baby. I was so impressed with the cancers services there, which I didn't know existed until I needed them. Again vital service for people going through cancer, why make their treatment more stressful with long bus/car journey's before and after difficult appointments/treatment?

Shotley Bridge population has increased and these services are required now more than ever. We don't need anything fancy but we need to know we have healthcare accessible to us, especially the elderly and young.