Fight for new Teesside hospital will go on says Ben Houchen as Wes Streeting meeting cancelled over Mandeson fallout
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen told of his frustration after planned talks with the Government for a replacement hospital for Teesside were cancelled at short notice this week.
Mayor Houchen had been due to meet with the Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Monday to discuss options for new health services, including the development of a replacement for the ageing University Hospital of North Tees.
But the meeting was cancelled so Mr Streeting could attend Parliament where Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced MPs amid increasing pressure over the appointment of former Hartlepool MP Peter Mandelson’s as US Ambassador.
Mayor Houchen, who made an election pledge in 2024 to deliver a new hospital for the region, said: “It’s incredibly frustrating and disappointing that the Health Secretary is prioritising supporting the Prime Minister as he is dragged to the House to explain his car crash of a decision to appoint Epstein’s mate."
He said while the Prime Minister battles to save his job “it is local people in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool who lose out”.
Mayor Houchen added: “The fight for our new hospital will go on – even if it has to be with a new PM and Health Secretary.”
The Mayor said staff and patients have highlighted to him the urgent need for investment in a new hospital, and he had written to the Health Secretary 15 times before securing Monday’s meeting.
The cost of maintaining the North Tees site has been estimated at up to £10million a year as the building suffers from leaking roofs and windows, broken ceiling panels and freezing pipes.
Mayor Houchen added: “It is clear to everyone that action needs to be taken as soon as possible to deliver a new hospital. I have a plan and I want to get on and deliver.
“However the lack of interest from this Government is a slap in the face for every patient needing vital treatment and each hard-working member of NHS staff forced to work in sub-standard conditions.
“The Government need to reinstate this meeting so we can move forward now and stop wasting time.”
Mr Streeting previously acknowledged the “challenges” around local hospitals and said extra capital funding for the NHS should help ease the situation.