Friarage NHS Hospital

09/06/2026

03/06/2026

"I would recommend anyone thinking about going for vitreo surgery at the Friarage to just do it – the team will really look after you."

More than 80 patients have now received life-changing eye surgery thanks to a new service at the Friarage Surgical Centre.

Launched in October 2025, the vitreo-retinal service covers a broad range of conditions affecting vision like retinal detachment, macular holes and complications from diabetic eye disease.

This was made possible after Friends of the Friarage raised more than £200,000 in donations for the installation of new surgical equipment.

Software engineer Andrew McDonald was the first patient to undergo the life-changing surgery and now eight months on, his vision is improving steadily and his quality of life is transformed.

Read the full story on our website: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/news/new-hospital-eye-service-brings-care-closer-to-home-for-north-yorkshire-patients/

01/06/2026

Our colleagues from the surgical admissions unit at the Friarage Surgical Centre recently raised over £1,000 to support homeless veterans and raise awareness of PTSD.

The surgical hub team led by staff nurse Sarah Batty, organised a tombola, held awareness stalls for staff and the publlic in the Friarage and slept rough for one night as part of the Great Tommy sleepout in Seaham.

Sarah who is an Army veteran herself said: “I served in the Queen Alexandra’s Royal Army Nursing Corps for a number of years so, supporting the veteran community is very close to my heart.

“We decided to host a number of local fundraising events at the Friarage to connect with our local community and then a group of us took part in the national Sleepout which gave us the opportunity to connect with other veterans.

“The annual event is promoted by the Royal British Veterans enterprise and all the money we have raised will go to them. Thank you to everyone who donated, your generosity will make such a difference to so many.”

As an accredited organisation, University Hospitals Tees are committed to improving healthcare outcomes for the Armed Forces community and work very closely with the Royal British Legion.

If you need any further support, please visit the armed forces section of our website: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/services/armed-forces-community/

29/05/2026

What matters to you most when it comes to the hospital and healthcare services in your local area? 💙

If you, or someone you care for, has used University Hospitals Tees hospital or community services in recent months, please complete our short survey: https://app.sli.do/event/q4Ziwkp1TPW9AZaNTmJsXZ/live/polls

You may have been cared for in:

• Friarage Hospital
• The James Cook University Hospital
• University Hospital of Hartlepool
• University Hospital of North Tees

Your feedback will be used to help shape the future of local healthcare services.

18/05/2026

To celebrate Dementia Action Week, which takes place from 18 May to 24 May, our soft services catering and domestic services are hosting a 'Dementia UK – Time for a Cuppa’ event, today (Monday 18 May) from 10am till 12noon at the Cafe hub in Friarage Hospital, today.

Staff members, patients, and visitors are encouraged to attend and celebrate the awareness week with our teams.

15/05/2026

Congratulations to catering and housekeeping staff at Friarage Hospital who have been named quality improvement project team of the year at the UK Dementia Awards 2026.

This is well deserved recognition for a piece of work carried out in 2025 that was led by food services lead dietitian Deborah Green, lead dementia nurse Anna Wilson, Friarage housekeeping and catering manager Sue Hodgson and supported by patient involvement facilitator Nicola Arkless.

Deborah said: "“This project highlights the importance of recognising and responding to areas for improvement. Listening to the voices of the housekeeping team was invaluable in driving improvements in the quality and safety of nutrition and hydration as part of treatment and recovery."

Read more: https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/news/friarage-scoops-national-dementia-award/

15/05/2026

Our free haematology education day is open to all patients under our care and their loved ones.

It is an opportunity to learn a little more about our haematology services, as well as the support available to help you. We’ll cover variety of topics throughout the day, including:

• Prehabilitation (preparing for treatment)
• Fatigue
• Psychology
• Living well with cancer

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀

🗓️ Date: Friday 18 September 2026
🕘 Time: 9am to 4pm
📍 Venue: Leonardo’s Hotel, Fry Street, Middlesbrough, TS1 1JH

Please email or call us to book your place by Friday 31 July 2026:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07904 757192

14/05/2026

Sharon Atkinson is a nurse sister at the Friarage Hospital, where she has worked for 35 years now.

Sharing her story, she said: "Growing up I never intended to be a nurse - once my youngest child reached school age. In 1990, I attended a career event in Northallerton which was aimed at getting women back into the work place.

"There was a display stand from the Friarage Hospital, highlighting the new role of the healthcare assistant, which they were introducing. Despite not having any experience in care, I decided to apply.

"They received many applications for only 12 places, in 1991 I was successful in obtaining a position and I began a training programme and was employed on an elderly care ward.

"It soon became apparent to me that despite my initial reservations I had found my perfect career choice. After two years working as a HCA I was encouraged to undertake my nurse training. I was fortunate to be seconded by the hospital, knowing I had job security was important as I had a young family.

"I qualified in 1996 and secured a job on the female surgical ward. I stayed working in this speciality, eventually becoming a ward sister, where I obtained a BSc in healthcare.

"Some years later, during a period of ward closures and reconfiguration I went to work on the surgical admissions unit and the post operative surgical day unit where I helped to develop and implement the innovative changes surrounding elective day and short stay surgical patients and procedures.

"During the pandemic, I became the clinical lead for the covid vaccination programme at the Friarage.

"Eventually, a couple of years ago, I decided to fully retire, intending work some NHSP shifts until my registration lapsed.

"My retirement lasted five weeks! While working on my ‘old’ unit as a NHSP staff nurse, I realised that I wanted to return to work. I obtained a part time contract as a staff nurse. I am still thoroughly enjoying my role and providing care for the patients and supporting all members of staff.

"I am now in my 35th year at the Friarage hospital, some may consider working in the same hospital to be a negative factor, I would disagree as I have spent those years supporting my local hospital and the community it serves.

"If I was to offer any advice to someone considering a potential career in nursing, I would suggest that they take time to evaluate their own personal situation, they may be unsure if its what they want to do or it may be the only thing they want to do. The nursing profession is undergoing significant changes, having to transform in order to meet modern healthcare demands, however, there will always be patients who need our support and care."

13/05/2026

As we highlight the work of our nurses following International Nurses Day yesterday, we spoke to Rachel Walshaw who is ward manager in Gara orthopaedic unit at Friarage Hospital.

Why did you decide to be a nurse?

"I have always wanted to be a nurse from a young age but when I was younger, I really lacked in confidence, so I decided to have my family and gain some life experience, and I finally qualified as a nurse when I was 40."

Tell us briefly about your role now and career so far.

"I started out my nursing career in 2016 on the Trauma Orthopaedic Ward at James Cook Hospital, where I felt the complexity of the patient’s we cared for on the ward, prepared me for anything I might face further down the line in my nursing career.

"I became ward sister in 2020 and then in 2022 the opportunity arose for a six month secondment as ward manager on Gara and I thought the experience would be a great opportunity to expand my knowledge further. I planned to return to trauma after the six months was up, but I enjoyed the new role so much, I have never left."

The theme of International Nurses Day this year is: Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives. What does this mean to you in your role?

"For me, in my role, empowerment is something I actively encourage within the team. This ensures safe, effective, compassionate patient care is delivered, and by working together as a team enables us to provide the best patient care possible. I feel an empowered team isn’t just people doing their job, it is a team that has the confidence, power and the ability to carry out their role, use their own judgement, as well as having their voices heard when making clinical decisions. Creating a safe supported environment, and teaching others along the way ultimately enables nurses and future nurse to thrive and create better patient outcomes."

What advice would you have to anyone considering nursing as a career?

"For anyone considering a career in nursing, you need to know it can be a tough job at times and hard work, however there is nothing more fulfilling or rewarding than knowing you have helped someone when they are at their most vulnerable."

Anything else you would like to add?

"I would like to say it is never too late to pursue a career in something you are passionate about. I went back into education at the age of 36, and becoming a nurse was the best decision I have ever made."

13/05/2026

What matters to you most when it comes to the hospital and healthcare services in your local area? 💙

If you, or someone you care for, has used University Hospitals Tees hospital or community services in recent months, please complete our short survey: https://app.sli.do/event/q4Ziwkp1TPW9AZaNTmJsXZ/live/polls

You may have been cared for in:

• Friarage Hospital
• The James Cook University Hospital
• University Hospital of North Tees
• University Hospital of Hartlepool

Your feedback will help shape plans for the next decade for hospital and community healthcare services across the Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.