Councillors unite to call for Hartlepool hospital development

Published Monday, 19th December 2022

Councillors in Hartlepool have come together in a show of cross-party unity to call for future investment in hospital services to be centred on the town.

A motion initially tabled by Labour councillors at a Full Council meeting of Hartlepool Borough Council was then unanimously supported by all councillors present.

The motion noted that a decision on significant new investment into hospital services for Hartlepool and North Tees is imminent, and it called for any development to be on the site of the University Hospital of Hartlepool rather than the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

It added: “The lifespan of the buildings at North Tees is very short, whereas by contrast Hartlepool’s buildings have decades left. North Tees lacks spare land capacity for new development, Hartlepool has plenty of land to allow development to take place

“It is clear that only Hartlepool has the necessary scope for cost-effective development.

“Moreover, with ever greater collaboration between health trusts north and south of the Tees, it is vital to secure provision that is balanced and meets the needs of all residents across the area. Locating new hospital services in Hartlepool ensures that balance in the north and prevents the over-centralisation of services in the Tees Valley.”

It was agreed that the Ceremonial Mayor of Hartlepool, Councillor Brian Cowie, should write to the Secretary of State for Health and the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust  to express Full Council’s “united and clear view” that:

  • Should a new build development, which would include a fully functioning A&E department, get the go-ahead then it should be at the Hartlepool site.
  • Should such investment not be approved, then significant long-term investment will still be required, including the provision of a new A&E service, and this should be at the Hartlepool site.

Councillor Shane Moore, Leader of the Council, said: “It is clear that investment in new high-quality hospital services for the people of North Tees and East Durham is desperately needed, and there is a compelling argument for it to be centred on Hartlepool.”

Councillor Brenda Harrison, Leader of the Labour Group on the Council, said: “I am pleased that the Labour Group motion was unanimously supported by Full Council. A united front is vital if we are to be successful in securing the investment in hospital services in Hartlepool that is so desperately needed.”