Plans submitted for hospital extension

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has applied for planning permission to extend its Northumbria hospital at Cramlington and expand its services for patients not requiring an overnight stay.
The three-storey extension will create a purpose-built clinical space for ‘ambulatory care’ services in medicine, surgery, gynaecology and orthopaedics.
The expanded services will maximise the number of patients that are able to be assessed, treated and discharged during the day to enable more patients to get back to their own homes and loved ones faster.
It will also help to de-congest the emergency department meaning that patients will be able to be seen by the most appropriate clinician earlier, improving their experiences.
Jim Mackey, chief executive of Northumbria Healthcare, said: “This planning application is excellent news for the trust and forms part of our new five-year strategy which shows our commitment to reshape healthcare settings, to protect The Northumbria for those who need it most and to invest to secure a more resilient health service for the future.
“Our patients and our staff are central to everything we do and this investment will also help us to create an improved environment and experience for everyone.”
The position of the Town Council regarding the proposed plans will be discussed at the Development and Strategic Management Committee meeting on Thursday June 21st at Concordia Leisure Centre. Members of the public are invited to attend the meeting which will be preceded by a 30 minute public question time at 6.15.