Plans approved for new Cockermouth hospital and Cleator Moor care centre

The new hospital will replace a flood-damaged 100-year-old facility

A new £11m hospital is to be built in Cockermouth, Cumbria, health bosses have confirmed.

The complex will replace the town's flood-damaged building on Isel Road, which is more than 100 years-old.

NHS North of England also confirmed a £4m GP-led health centre is to be built in neighbouring Cleator Moor.

Work on the new hospital is due to begin in the summer and expected to be completed in autumn 2013. The health care centre is due to open next spring.

An NHS Cumbria spokesman said: "The new hospital will combine GP and community hospital services on one site.

"It will be built on land next to Isel Road and is expected to be completed in 2013.

"GPs are currently working out of temporary accommodation on the hospital site following the floods which devastated Cockermouth in 2009."

Dr David Rogers, lead commissioning GP for Copeland, added: "The combined investment marks a big step-forward for health care in west Cumbria and will enable us to plan and provide the best services for our patients."