Hartlepool hospital development plans are sign of 'a new beginning'

North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust last week announced ‘exciting’ plans to refocus and redevelop the University Hospital of Hartlepool and new investment.

Chief Executive Julie Gillon said they will look to provide services to complement those provided elsewhere in the region, upgrade existing facilities and investment for ‘centres of excellence’ in elective care and clinical practice.

The current hospital entrance is set to be upgraded and the possible creation of a green energy facility which would provide electricity and heat for the whole site.

Its comes as the hospital is set to be the base of a world first Covid vaccine trial.

MP Mike Hill said people have felt the hospital has been under threat following the removal of a number of services over the years culminating in the closure of its A&E in 2011.

He said: “Long before I was elected MP for the town I campaigned to bring back services to the hospital and secure it’s future, and as the MP I have continued that work alongside the many groups and individuals determined to save our hospital.”

Mr Hill said it is unlikely the A&E would return given more are being closed nationwide but added: “What we do have with this statement from the Chief Executive is an acknowledgement that the people’s defence of their hospital has been respected and that it’s place in dealing with future health needs is secured.

"We may never be able to get back all the services we want and have lost over the years, but we have the opportunity of a new beginning and frankly for the first time in a long time we can say that Hartlepool hospital is not dead or dying; it’s here to stay and things can only get better.”

But the campaign group Fighting 4 Hartlepool hospital is seeking more detail about the trust’s plans.

Glen Hughes from the group said: “The rhetoric sounds very much like others we hear about from campaign groups in other parts of the country.

"We want to see more services at the hospital but hope this is not a route to letting in private providers through the back door.”

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