Health chiefs announce 'exciting and ambitious' plans to redevelop Hartlepool hospital

Bosses at North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust say they have embarked on a phased plan to ‘refocus and redevelop’ the University Hospital of Hartlepool after listening carefully to the people of the town.

It says the plans include using the hospital site 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 trust also intends to modernise and upgrade the current hospital entrance and will explore the creation of a green energy facility which would provide electricity and heat the whole redeveloped site.

Trust chief executive Julie Gillon said: “Hartlepool remains one of the most deprived towns in the United Kingdom.

"Benefits claims double those of the national picture, housing, education and health statistics also fall behind the rest of the country.

"After carefully listening to the people of Hartlepool, we have embarked upon ambitious plans to refocus and redevelop Hartlepool hospital.

"We now need to capitalise on the learnings from the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic by realising the potential for the site, the ambitions for Hartlepool and the need to re-purpose how health care for the future is delivered.

“We are exploring a phased redevelopment of the site, which will bring unique and exciting opportunities for the area – utilising the current site and buildings to provide services which will complement those already provided within the region."

Ms Gillon said the trust wants to build on the opening of its new Rowan Birthing Suite earlier this month, and tie in with Hartlepool Borough Council’s and partners’ aspirations for growth and investment in the town.

And health chiefs also aim to work with primary care partners and invest to make Hartlepool a place where staff want to work within the NHS.

Ms Gillon added: “In a town and borough that boasts a population of 92,000 – the potential is exciting.

“Our plans for our Hartlepool hospital are ambitious, but they are no more than the staff, residents and business communities there deserve.”

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