Task and finish group to look at public inquiry potential for new hospital in Berwick

After some initial setbacks, as late as 2023 there had been hope the Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust project would be completed this year.

However, there has been a further delay due to original contractors Merit collapsing into administration.

Gateshead-based firm Robertson Construction was appointed as the replacement contractors and after assessing the work that had been carried out, it was decided that remedial work needed to take place – although rumours the whole building needed to be knocked down turned out to be incorrect.

The removal of mechanical and electrical systems and pipework, and internal walls and fittings, began a couple of weeks ago and in late November, work will start work to remove the façade and steel frame system that will need to be replaced.

At a meeting of Northumberland County Council’s Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee today (Tuesday), members agreed to set up a task and finish group made up of some of the committee.

Committee chair Georgina Hill, Berwick East councillor, said the purpose of the group is to “explore whether the threshold has been met for a public inquiry”.

She added: “Members of the group will, with advice from council officers, look at the detail for what the Secretary of State for Health (Yvette Cooper) will need to see to agree to hold a public inquiry. What we’re doing here is starting the process of deciding whether or not we write to her to make the request.

“If such an inquiry goes ahead, this would be an objective finding of facts so it’s fair to everyone involved and it’s also a case of lessons learned as well.”

In addition, an extra meeting of the committee is being planned for January where representatives of the health trust will be invited to come along and provide a further update.

Linked with this, the task and finish group will also put together a set of questions about the project that will be sent to the trust.