A CRUCIAL children’s unit is to be temporarily closed because of “staffing pressures” at a hospital in the region, health bosses confirmed last night.

The special care baby unit at the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, which treats seriously ill or premature infants, will be one of a number of services suspended from July 17.

Patients will be transferred to The James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, more than 22 miles away.

A spokesman for South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs both sites, said retirements, long-term consultant sick leave and a shortage of doctors had led to the cuts.

Other Friarage services affected by yesterday’s announcement include children’s inpatient services and “highrisk”

maternity services, for women who need continuous monitoring during labour.

Last night, Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh and Northallerton Mayor Tony Hall expressed regret at the decision, but said patient safety was paramount. Miss McIntosh said: “The Government consistently claims to have increased patient choice, particularly for expectant mothers.

“However, Gordon Brown has failed to make available the necessary resources to allow for significant patient choice in rural areas.”

The Friarage’s unit cares for about 11 babies a month, and thousands of pounds are raised locally every year to support it. An average of 125 children a month attend the hospital as inpatients.

A midwifery unit will continue to operate at the hospital, for women who expect delivery to be straight-forward.

Children can also still attend outpatient appointments in Northallerton.

Health bosses stressed that the hospital’s full range of services – including the special care baby unit – would resume in the autumn.

Director of planning Jill Moulton said: “This decision has not been taken lightly and is based on the safety and welfare of the children, babies and pregnant women we care for and treat, and has been made in their best interests.

“As an interim measure, we have used agency staff and the remaining consultant staff provided additional cover.

“This is unsustainable, both in the short and long-term, because all of these staff are now in need of leave.

“This is only a temporary measure and we have already managed to appoint more consultants, who are due to start in the autumn.”

Between 90 and 100 women give birth at the Friarage every month and the trust anticipates that about a third will be able to use the remaining midwifery unit.

Mrs Moulton said: “We know these arrangements mean the people of North Yorkshire are being offered a reduced service, but it is temporary.

This short-term measure will ensure we provide a safe service and release pressure on the existing team.”

A leaflet detailing the changes will be available from the Friarage shortly.