10 days ago I popped by the Haltwhistle Hospital with local councillor, Ian Hutchinson, to see how the rebuild was coming along. It is great to see the new hospital taking shape. It will be the first integrated facility with both a hospital and local authority care on site. This integrated care is what everyone is seeking and I am really pleased the Northumbria NHS Trust are leading the way. The local community were given the opportunity to give their views on a name for the extra-care flats and the hospital and engagement sessions were held in early October; a final decision will be made on the names later in the year. I will keep you posted and intend to try and revisit the hospital before christmas to check on progress and again talk to residents in the surrounding area.
