Future of Shotley Bridge Hospital remains uncertain, as plans to move it to Consett steelworks emerge

NHS chiefs have insisted no decision has been made on the future of Shotley Bridge Hospital.

Last week bosses at Durham County Council approved plans which could see services moved to the former site of Consett’s steelworks.

About 3,500 jobs were lost when the industrial site was shut down in 1980, but 40 years on the decision paves the way for it to become home to health facilities, as well as a hotel, gym and even a microbrewery.

However, the North Durham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), which is behind proposals to overhaul health care in the area, claims other locations for a new hospital are still being considered.

A spokesman said: “The CCG is reviewing the future of Shotley Bridge Community Hospital and recently carried out a period of patient and stakeholder engagement, with a view to going out to public consultation sometime this year.

“We have earmarked funding for the project which is subject to business case approval from NHS England.

“Ahead of any public consultation, an independent exercise was carried out to look at potential sites in the area that would be suitable for a redevelopment and a short list of options is being compiled.

“This is to ensure that any future site meets the needs of the local population and to ensure its suitability as a modern healthcare environment.”

The CCG added the Genesis Project, the developer behind the plans for the former steel works site, was ‘independent’ of its review of health services in North West Durham.

Last September regional health bosses were told they were in line for about £17 million to overhaul services currently provided at Shotley Bridge Hospital, which is facing a maintenance backlog worth about £2 million.

Graham Blakey, a senior planning officer with the county council, told the panel ‘market forces’ would decide the future of the Consett development if NHS chiefs decide the hospital should go elsewhere.

He added: “If part of the site is delivered and the community hospital site is not, we may see subsequent applications put forward, but I cannot get a crystal ball out.”