Bosses at South Tyneside District Hospital have apologised

Paula Dadswell took six-month-old James to South Tyneside District Hospital with suspected gastroenteritis and saw the medic pedalling around a ward.

The same doctor later examined the child, but his mother confronted him about his actions.

Bosses at the South Shields hospital apologised, but stressed the child's treatment had never been compromised.

Post Office worker Ms Dadswell, 33, from Jarrow, said the doctor then went "bright red" when she challenged him about the cycling.

'Friendly atmosphere'

She received a letter from hospital officials, saying they apologised for any upset caused by the incident, which happened in August.

A spokeswoman for South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust said: "The child in question was not neglected and his care was not compromised in any way.

"We regularly provide diversions that are not directly related to medical care.

"We have involved musicians, artists and others in trying to create a friendly and warm atmosphere and on a day-to-day basis the staff of our children's unit make every effort themselves to provide a welcoming and happy environment."

Ms Dadswell told the Shields Gazette newspaper: "We had been asking for someone to see James for two hours and we had even told the doctor that he probably shouldn't be cycling around in case he hurt someone."