A HEALTH watchdog has complained about facilities for patients and their relatives at a newly refurbished hospital department.

A group from the North Tees Community Health Council (CHC) visited the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on two days in May to look at the accident and emergency department. The report on their visit has just been published and reveals some gaps in the service provided.

Although staff were praised for being friendly and courteous, and most patients were seen quickly, concern was expressed about facilities available to those waiting for treatment.

Edna Chapman, of the CHC, said: "Several parents had to bring their children along following accidents in the home.

"These children were alarm-ed, stressed and became over-active and excited.

"It would be helpful if children's videos, some books or puzzles were available to enable the time to pass more quickly.

"It would also help the parents to relax a little while awaiting treatment."

Concern was also expressed about the difficulty of using the disabled toilet for patients in a wheelchair, and the embarrassment if instructions had to be shouted through the closed toilet door.

Parking was also highlighted as a problem. Mrs Chapman said: "Parking was a real problem. It took me 20 minutes to find a place.

"I wondered how people managed when called to the bedside of a dying person. I was also concerned at the number of people using the accident and emergency entrance to access other parts of the hospital."