Work to build a new hospital in County Durham has been delayed, casting doubt over the future of the scheme. 

Plans to replace the outdated Shotley Bridge Hospital in Consett were approved by Durham County Council in March, but have failed to progress significantly since then. 

The proposed purpose-built community health facility on Genesis Way was part of Boris Johnson’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals throughout the UK by 2030.

But now, health officials say the scheme has been delayed due to “multiple factors”, which are believed to include budget issues. 

And locals fear the longer it is delayed the less likely it will be built. 

The Northern Echo: The proposed purpose-built community health facility on Genesis Way was part of Boris Johnson’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals throughout the UK by 2030.The proposed purpose-built community health facility on Genesis Way was part of Boris Johnson’s pledge to build 40 new hospitals throughout the UK by 2030. (Image: The Northern Echo)

Members of the Shotley Bridge Hospital Support Group were recently told there is still no start date and the hospital will need to be redesigned to reduce costs. Yet they were assured that there would be no change to the services included or the number of beds. 

The decision to build the new hospital was made due to the current facility requiring extensive upgrades. The proposal includes a 16-bed in-patient rehabilitation ward, urgent treatment centre, expanded chemotherapy suite and diagnostic provision.

Local county councillor Kevin Earley, who is also part of the support group, has been working on upgrading health facilities in the area as far back as 2015 and is eager to see work start and spades in the ground. 

“Millions have been committed to the project, so rowing back on it now is a worry,” said Cllr Earley. “It’s undermining people and now they are worried that it’s not going to happen.”

“If it’s going to go ahead, let's see work starting on the site now so everyone knows it’s going to happen.”

The Northern Echo: The land off Genesis Way, Consett, where the hospital is due to be built The land off Genesis Way, Consett, where the hospital is due to be built (Image: The Northern Echo)

A report due to be discussed by health officials and councillors in Durham next week suggests some changes to the scheme could be made. 

“We don’t want to lose any services or beds, we want what we promised,” Cllr Earley added. 

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It is hoped the new hospital will alleviate some of the capacity pressures on the University Hospital of North Durham (UHND) in Durham, where planning permission was recently granted for an extension.

Jane Curry, programme manager for the Shotley Bridge Hospital project said: “As with any major building programme currently, delays do occur due to multiple factors.

“The Shotley Bridge Project team are working closely with the New Hospitals Programme to minimise delays and bring the scheme into development within a revised timeline.”