THE second of three hospitals being built by a health care trust was launched yesterday.
TV and radio personality Bill Steel cut the first turf on the site of the £1m Horn Hall development at Stanhope, in Weardale.
It is being built in the grounds of the crumbling Victorian building it will replace when it opens in December.
Two years ago, it was feared that Horn Hall would close after it was announced that repairs would cost £750,000.
But a working group of GPs, staff, patients and health officials teamed up with County Durham Health Authority to draw up plans to safeguard its future.
As well as providing 20 beds for long and short-term care, it will offer physiotherapy and rehabilitation, more occupational therapy than before, and a new palliative care service.
Stanhope GP Dr Steve Lumb said: "After years of uncertainty is wonderful to see the plans coming to fruition."
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