Plans for a new Shotley Bridge Hospital are in doubt after the government said all projects within the New Hospitals Programme were under review because of funding constraints. The County Durham hospital was included in the former Conservative government’s scheme despite plans already being drawn up. MP for Blaydon and Consett Liz Twist said Labour’s decision is due to the lack of funding left by the Tories.
“Like all local people, I’m frustrated with the continued delay, the new hospital to replace the Shotley Bridge Hospital is long overdue,” she said. Ms Twist said she has already met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting to make the case for building the Consett facility. The Labour MP added: “Consett desperately needs a new hospital, but we also need honesty over how a new hospital will be funded and when we can expect it to be completed.
“But the Tories have left a black hole in our finances and cynically committed to this new hospital without committing anywhere close to the funding required to deliver it.” A 16-bed in-patient rehabilitation ward and urgent treatment centre were proposed for the site, which was scheduled to replace the current facility in Shotley Bridge. Labour pledged to build the hospital in June but has now seemingly backtracked on its promise following Mr Streeting’s announcement.
The Health Secretary said the Government wanted to see the New Hospitals Programme completed but it is “undeliverable, unaffordable, and estimated costs.