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Next phase of work begins at Berwick's new hospital

The next phase of work to progress Berwick’s new hospital will begin next week.

Over the last few months, Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust has been working closely with newly appointed contractor, Robertson Construction, to identify what needs to be done to develop the programme of work.

From Monday 19 October, remedial work, which will involve removing mechanical and electrical systems and pipework and internal walls and fittings, will begin.

In late November work will start to remove the façade and steel frame system, which will need to be replaced. The main structural steel work will remain.

There will be an increase in site activity while this work is carried out and a large amount of vehicle movement to and from the site. Everything will be done to keep disruption to a minimum. It is planned that this phase of work will be done by spring next year.

Damon Kent, Northumbria Healthcare Facilities Management’s managing director, said: "We know that everyone is frustrated with the position we are in. We are also very disappointed and want to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to progress our new hospital as quickly as we can.

"It has been a difficult period as there are complexities around a new contractor taking over the incomplete work of another company. Although it has been quiet on site, a huge amount of work has been carried out behind the scenes over the last few months, and we are very pleased to be working with Robertson Construction.

"Our key priority must always be to ensure that our new Berwick hospital meets all the required standards, and we want it to be the best it can for our patients, staff and future generations."

Northumbria Healthcare will be holding a public drop-in information session at Berwick Town Hall on Wednesday 9 December and will confirm and share details closer to the time.

Mr Kent continued: "We thank everyone who is involved in progressing our new hospital and special thanks go to our colleagues working in the existing infirmary. They have shown steadfast resilience and continue to provide excellent patient care."

It is hoped that the majority of work to construct the new hospital will be done by summer 2028.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) - October 2026

After the latest update this month we have compiled a series of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help outline and clarify some of the issues facing the project and what the next steps will be.

Northumbria Healthcare has been committed to this facility for Berwick for a number of years now and would like to apologise to residents for the frustration and inconvenience these delays are causing.

We are confident the new plans announced this week will be completed as quickly and safely as possible.

We would also like to thank our dedicated team of staff in Berwick who continue providing excellent healthcare for residents during the construction work.

1. Why has the building been so delayed?

Unfortunately, the original building project has suffered significant delays. While we now have a clear plan of action to finish the construction, this will lead to longer delays while the work is completed.

Last year, Merit, the original construction partner, was placed into administration before the building was finished which meant the project had to be paused until we could find a new company to complete the works.

In January we appointed Robertson Construction to complete the building. After a detailed inspection of the site by Robertsons and other professionals a number of defects were found, some of which will need to be repaired or removed before the building can be finished.

We know that everyone is frustrated with the position we are in. We are also very disappointed and want to assure you that we are doing everything we can to progress our new hospital as quickly as we can.

2. What will happen next?

Over the last few months, we have been working closely with our contractor, Robertson Construction, to identify what needs to be done to develop the programme of work.

Our key priority must be to ensure that our new Berwick hospital meets all the required standards, and we want it to be the best it can for our patients, staff and future generations. We have appointed independent experts to advise on what is required.

The good news is that from Monday 19 October we will begin remedial work which will involve removing mechanical and electrical systems / pipework and internal walls and fittings. Working with the independent expert we will determine the extent of work required but this may include the changes set out below.

From late November we will start work to remove the façade and steel frame that supports the cladding, which will need to be replaced. We would like to clarify that the main structural steel work will remain – the main building will NOT need to be removed. It is hoped that this work will be done by spring next year.

We are planning to complete the majority of work by summer 2028.

3. How did you choose the original construction partners?

The appointment of the original construction firm was made against the backdrop of a competitive tender from the NHS Shared Business Services Modular Build Framework. There were 3 contractors in the final running for the project. 

The company appointed was based in the North East and had previously built the Central Sterile Services Department at Cramlington on behalf of the trust. The board is keen to maximise local employment opportunities in procurement where possible. The trust also engaged an on-site independent contractor to project manage the build. 

Payments were made to the contractor on the basis of certificates signed by an independent, third project management company.

4. Why was the current site chosen?

Consultation was first started in 2016 where 85% of respondents expressed support for the redevelopment of the hospital at the existing site.

In 2018/19 the Clinical Commissioning Group asked Northumbria Healthcare to consider other locations, including a potential development alongside the new leisure centre to the south of the town. These appraisals were completed in 2019 and the existing site remained the best option to meet the needs of local residents.

Further public consultation was done in spring 2020 before the submission of the final planning application, where 73% of respondents again agreed the new hospital should remain on the existing site.

5. How have you kept local people up to date?

We have provided regular updates to the public and our stakeholders since the project began. We are committed to keeping everyone updated as things progress and acknowledge the importance of this. Throughout the project - including these last few difficult months - we have attended various forums and public meetings, written directly to residents, provided information on our website and social media, communicated via the media and spoken at public meetings of the council.

Now that plans are in place we will be holding another public drop-in information session at Berwick Town Hall on Wednesday 9 December. We will confirm and share details closer to the time.

6. Are you taking action against anyone involved in the building?

We are very disappointed to be in the position we are. We are continuing to consider matters arising from the project, including our legal position and available options. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment further at this stage.

7. When will it be finished?

It is hoped that the remedial strip-out work will be done by spring next year and we are planning to complete the majority of work by summer 2028.

8. Will this lead to additional costs?

There will be additional costs to the project to correct the current defects within the building and because of the inflationary costs associated with the continued delays. The trust will reallocate capital funds from existing reserves and other projects to ensure the additional building work is complete.  

9. What about the tower within the existing structure?

We are now going through the planning application process to retain the tower element of the bell tower building. If approved, the area surrounding the tower will be re-landscaped as part of the gateway to a new, modern hospital.