STAFF at a North-East hospital have been honoured for their “pioneering” work in making it easier for autistic children facing operations.

The North East Autism Society (NEAS) presented a Gold Autism Acceptance Award to South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s Children and Young People’s Perioperative, Anaesthetic and Surgical Services.

The award, presented at The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, is in recognition of a radical programme of initiatives designed to ease the anxieties of autistic and neurodivergent youngsters who need surgery.

The hospital is the first healthcare setting to receive the honour after NHS staff across a range of disciplines worked together to increase understanding of autism and implement improvements.

The award was presented during World Autism Acceptance Week by Kerrie Highcock, Family Development Manager for NEAS. She said: “It is a joy to be here to recognise the pioneering work that has been carried out to ease the path for autistic children who need to come into hospital for an operation.

The Northern Echo:

“Facing surgery is a daunting experience for most people, but it can often be an especially anxious time for autistic youngsters, so the passion displayed by the staff to make so many positive changes is massively appreciated.”

Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist, Dr Amy Norrington, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to receive this award on behalf of the Children’s and Young People’s Perioperative Service here at South Tees.

“It’s great to be recognised for the work that we’ve done for the last eight years, but more important than that is the knowledge that we’ve actually improved things for autistic children and young people coming for surgery here.”

The trust aims to continue working in partnership with NEAS so that the lessons learned, and the improvements made, can be extended to autistic adult patients.