Fears for future of delayed new hospital

Plans for an upgraded Shotley Bridge Hospital were signed off in March 2023

There are fears over the future of a new hospital in County Durham after the announcement of further delays.

Planning permission for the facility in Shotley Bridge, to replace the outdated existing hospital unit, was granted in March 2023.

However, construction work is yet to begin and further doubt has been cast after the chancellor announced a "complete review" of the previous government's hospital programme.

This has led a Lib Dem councillor to criticise both Labour and the Conservatives for their management of the plans.

Labour pledged to build the hospital in June, but last week Health Secretary Wes Streeting ordered a review of the funding and timetable for the previous government's plans to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030.

He said it was "painfully clear" it will not be possible to deliver the £20bn New Hospital Programme in the timeframe.

On Monday, Rachel Reeves told the Commons the previous government had given people “false hope” over the projects.

She said: "We will conduct a complete review of the hospital programme with a thorough, realistic and costed timetable for delivery."

'Devastating blow'

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Liberal Democrat councillor, Dominic Haney, of Consett South ward, said: "I fear Labour might have finally sunk the Shotley Hospital ship.

"The Conservatives delivered a devastating blow to the bow by delaying and delaying it, with the naïve aim of trying to make the scheme cheaper.

"Labour’s plan to delay the hospital again is a false economy.

"As construction costs continue to rise, another delay may well put the whole scheme underwater."

However, Labour councillor Kevin Earley was more hopeful about the future of the project, located in his Benfieldside ward.

He said: "I remain positive that we have a great case for the new hospital.

"This will be a sound investment in the future and I’m sure it will go ahead."

County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust has been contacted for comment.