The people of Blaydon and Consett deserve an NHS that’s fit for the future.
The previous conservative government promised to deliver a new hospital for Shotley Bridge, a promise that was both undeliverable and unaffordable, and they did not provide the funding for. The funding the Conservatives provided for the New Hospital programme runs out in March. This is one of many unfunded promises that they made to the British people but knew they wouldn’t be able to deliver. They lied to local people about our NHS.
The Chancellor has been forced to take action to clean up the mess left by the last government, but we cannot promise to deliver something if the money simply is not there, which is why she has announced a review of the New Hospital Programme. The review will provide a realistic timeframe for what can be delivered by when. This government will be honest with people- they won’t lead us up the garden path only to let us down, like the Conservatives did.
My support for the new hospital is unwavering. I will be meeting with the health secretary, Wes Streeting, to urgently discuss the hospital’s future plans.