Exciting news for Consett as the new Shotley Bridge Hospital is finally on track to start construction in 2026-2027 after years of delays
Consett: So, guess what? The long-awaited Shotley Bridge Hospital is finally getting the green light! After a ton of back and forth, health officials have confirmed that construction will kick off between 2026 and 2027.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting made the announcement in Parliament, and it’s about time! The new facility will replace the current one in Shotley Bridge and will include a 16-bed rehabilitation ward and an urgent treatment center.
Even though planning permission was granted last year, the project faced some bumps along the way, like rising costs that now sit between £50-60 million. But hey, local authorities are still backing it, knowing how crucial this hospital is for the community.
Liz Twist, the Labour MP for Blaydon and Consett, asked if residents could trust the timeline. Streeting assured her that the investment in the community hospital is a priority and that they’re committed to making it happen.
He promised to secure sustainable funding to keep everything on track. It’s nice to hear that they’re trying to put a solid plan in place, especially after the previous government’s ambitious but shaky promise to build 40 new hospitals.
Some folks are still skeptical, though. The Conservatives are calling this another broken promise, and Shadow Health Secretary Edward Argar is not holding back, saying Labour has let voters down.
