Member News
The Tees Valley Mayor has demanded Government action to help deliver a much-needed new hospital for North Tees after a repeated lack of urgency.
Mayor Ben Houchen has pledged to deliver a new hospital to replace the ageing and crumbling North Tees University Hospital, in Stockton.
Since re-election in 2024, the Mayor has written to the Government on 13 occasions requesting a discussion with Health Secretary Wes Streeting but has failed to receive a substantive response, other than an offer to meet a health minister.
He is now publicly calling on the Government to agree to hold talks on how a new hospital can be built.
Mayor Houchen said: “It is an ongoing disgrace that patients and staff of North Tees are still having to put up with a hospital that it literally falling apart – with leaking roofs and freezing pipes.
“It is nowhere near good enough and that is why I have pledged to deliver a new hospital that this area so badly needs and deserves.
“While we can make every effort locally to make this happen, we should not have to do this alone which is why I have repeatedly sought direct talks with Government over the past year – which have been ignored.
“This is a vitally important for Teesside – I campaigned on it, I was elected on it with a democratic mandate, and if the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister can find time to meet me, the Health Secretary certainly can – he’s the decision-maker. To write 13 times and be brushed off simply isn’t on.
“If this Government is serious about delivering for the people of Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool then it needs to show its commitment by using the additional funding for the NHS to support this area.
“It’s ridiculous that millions of pounds are already being spent on maintenance costs just trying to keep North Tees going.
“A new hospital will not only improve the health and wellbeing of local people but it also makes clear financial sense as well.
“Once again, I would therefore urge the Secretary of State to meet with me as soon as possible so we can get this well-overdue project moving forward.”
