00:00Originally granted planning permission in 2023, the new Shotley Bridge Community Hospital,
00:06which will include a 16-bed inpatient rehabilitation ward and urgent treatment centre,
00:12is now expected to be completed by 2030.
00:16Groundwork began in July this year, but the full construction phase is not likely to start until 2026 or 2027.
00:23The project has faced numerous challenges, including rising costs,
00:27now estimated between £50 and £60 million, and the expiration of the original planning application in 2024.
00:36A revised design has shifted inpatient services from the first floor to the ground floor,
00:40requiring a new application to be submitted.
00:43Paul Frank, Operations and Performance Director for the project,
00:47told a health scrutiny committee that despite delays in the release of funding, work is progressing.
00:52The project team working very closely with NHP scheme partners,
00:57will work at pace to minimise any future delays.
01:00The scheme received a boost in January when Health Secretary West Streetland
01:04confirmed its inclusion in way of the government's revised new hospital programme.
01:10Funding was officially approved in September.
01:13However, public trust in the project has been severely tested.
01:17Some local representatives voiced frustration at the pace of the progress.
01:21A co-opted member of Durham County Council's scrutiny committee said,
01:26I've lost count of the number of times we've been told when this hospital will be built.
01:31They've lost mental health and acute services.
01:34They've lost everything.
01:36Final approval for the updated business case and planning will be critical in determining whether the hospital will finally become a reality.
01:43Thank you very much.
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