Latest news with #NorthTees
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Newton Aycliffe GP who died during pandemic given national recognition
A Newton Aycliffe GP who died on the frontline during the pandemic has been awarded a national honour by the King. Doctor Poornima Nair, 56, was the first Covid-19 patient to be admitted to the University Hospital of North Tees and Hartlepool. She spent 46 days fighting the virus in intensive care before she died on May 12, 2020. Doctor Poornima Nair has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem after she died in service during the pandemic Now, five years after her death, she has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem along with more than 100 other public servants who died in service. She is one of six people who contracted Covid-19 while working in healthcare to be recognised in the list. The award is the civilian equivalent of the Elizabeth Cross, which recognises members of the UK Armed Forces who died in action or as a result of a terrorist attack. Born in New Delhi, in India, Dr Nair studied there at the University College of Medical Sciences to follow her dream of becoming a doctor. Doctor Poornima Nair has been honoured with an Elizabeth Emblem after she died in service during the pandemic She and her husband Shlok Balupuri, a senior surgeon, were married in India, and the couple had a son, Varun Nair Balupuri. READ MORE: Darlington apprentice named among top five at UK hairdressing awards Two County Durham towns get new banking hubs as last branches close down First look inside Darlington's newest independent jewellery shop opening today They moved to the UK in 1994, living in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, until 2010. Dr Nair worked at Station View Medical Centre in Bishop Auckland for 15 years, where she was popular amongst fellow staff and patients. The Elizabeth Emblem is awarded to the next of kin on behalf of the service person.
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hospital parking charges rise 'necessary'
Parking charges at some hospitals are to rise from Monday, in what health chiefs say is a necessary move. The increase will be between 30p and 60p for up to four hours, although the first 20 minutes, for pick-up and drop-offs, will remain free. The move affects Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, the University Hospital of Hartlepool, Peterlee Community Hospital and Northallerton's Friarage. Steve Taylor, of University Hospitals Tees (UHT), has previously said it was understood the move would not be welcome, but the cost of maintaining the car parks could not be covered by its current operating budget. Anything left over from running costs would be diverted to patient care, he pledged. Parking will still be free for the first 20 minutes, for blue badge holders, frequent outpatient attendees, and the parents of sick children admitted to hospital overnight. Mr Taylor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Charging for parking ensures only those who need to visit our hospitals use a parking space and ensures a swift turnover of spaces. "We would like to reassure all our patients and visitors that the income is used to maintain our car parks, including the costs of repairs and maintenance, lighting, gritting and security. "Any surplus money is diverted into patient care to support the delivery of front-line services." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Hospital parking charges to increase Hospital staff protest over planned parking change North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust
BBC News
01-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Teesside hospital parking charges rise take effect
Parking charges at some hospitals are to rise from Monday, in what health chiefs say is a necessary increase will be between 30p and 60p for up to four hours, although the first 20 minutes, for pick-up and drop-offs, will remain move affects Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton, the University Hospital of Hartlepool, Peterlee Community Hospital and Northallerton's Taylor, of University Hospitals Tees (UHT), has previously said it was understood the move would not be welcome, but the cost of maintaining the car parks could not be covered by its current operating budget. Anything left over from running costs would be diverted to patient care, he will still be free for the first 20 minutes, for blue badge holders, frequent outpatient attendees, and the parents of sick children admitted to hospital overnight. Mr Taylor told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "Charging for parking ensures only those who need to visit our hospitals use a parking space and ensures a swift turnover of spaces."We would like to reassure all our patients and visitors that the income is used to maintain our car parks, including the costs of repairs and maintenance, lighting, gritting and security."Any surplus money is diverted into patient care to support the delivery of front-line services." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
'Low demand' bus route dropped after three months
An "isolated" community is to lose its first bus to a nearby town in a decade after only three months of operation. The number 68 from Port Clarence to Billingham and the University Hospital of North Tees was introduced on a trial basis in February. However operator Stagecoach announced the service will end after next week's half-term holiday because of low demand. It said it brought in just £12.58 a day and four people per trip, while running costs were in excess of £80 a day. Councillor Katie Weston, Labour member for Billingham South, said she did not blame the company but called for changes to help remote communities access public transport. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There's a lot of kids who aren't doing anything after school because they literally can't get back, they rely on the school bus. "And people doing their shopping, going to the doctors, because Billingham is their town centre." After meetings with Stagecoach the service, which had not run for a decade, was brought back on a trial basis. "We thought we'd try and get enough people to use it, then we might be able to build on it and they might be able to put more times in place", Weston said. "The passenger numbers aren't high enough for Stagecoach to be financially viable. "It's a private company that at the very least needs to break even to run that service. "Less than half of the population of Port Clarence has access to a car, so it does leave them very isolated, socially and economically. "What they need is an actual proper regular bus service and, given the current system that we have, it's just not going to happen. A Stagecoach spokesperson said: "This trial was undertaken in good faith and at Stagecoach's commercial risk. "Unfortunately, across the first six weeks of operation, service 68 has carried an average of four people per trip, with a total revenue of £12.58 each day. "Labour costs alone for operating these trips has been around £80 per day - this is before fuel and vehicle costs are factored. "With such low demand, it was determined the trial could not be extended." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council Stagecoach
BBC News
24-05-2025
- BBC News
New Port Clarence bus service dropped due to low demand
An "isolated" community is to lose its first bus to a nearby town in a decade after only three months of number 68 from Port Clarence to Billingham and the University Hospital of North Tees was introduced on a trial basis in February. However operator Stagecoach announced the service will end after next week's half-term holiday because of low demand. It said it brought in just £12.58 a day and four people per trip, while running costs were in excess of £80 a Katie Weston, Labour member for Billingham South, said she did not blame the company but called for changes to help remote communities access public transport. She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: "There's a lot of kids who aren't doing anything after school because they literally can't get back, they rely on the school bus. "And people doing their shopping, going to the doctors, because Billingham is their town centre." 'Financially viable' After meetings with Stagecoach the service, which had not run for a decade, was brought back on a trial basis."We thought we'd try and get enough people to use it, then we might be able to build on it and they might be able to put more times in place", Weston said."The passenger numbers aren't high enough for Stagecoach to be financially viable. "It's a private company that at the very least needs to break even to run that service."Less than half of the population of Port Clarence has access to a car, so it does leave them very isolated, socially and economically."What they need is an actual proper regular bus service and, given the current system that we have, it's just not going to happen. A Stagecoach spokesperson said: "This trial was undertaken in good faith and at Stagecoach's commercial risk."Unfortunately, across the first six weeks of operation, service 68 has carried an average of four people per trip, with a total revenue of £12.58 each day. "Labour costs alone for operating these trips has been around £80 per day - this is before fuel and vehicle costs are factored. "With such low demand, it was determined the trial could not be extended." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
