WARRINGTON is set to learn whether or not it has secured funding to build a new hospital by the end of the year.

Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust officially submitted its bid for a new hospital last September, with a decision initially due in spring this year.

Through the scheme, hospital trusts from across the country were invited to bid to be one of eight new sites to be built as part of the multimillion-pound scheme.

It is believed that a new Warrington Hospital would cost around £317million, while the project to rebuild Halton Hospital would require around £93million.

Warrington South MP Andy Carter asked Will Quince, Minister of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, in Parliament for an update.

In the House of Commons, Mr Carter said: “Over the last 20 years, Warrington has had some of the highest levels of new houses built in the north west of England, but out healthcare infrastructure has not kept pace.

“We desperately need a new Hospital, our A&E is at breaking point, we do not have enough beds and there is nowhere to park your car when you go and visit.

“In 2021, my NHS trust submitted a bid to the Department for Health for a new hospital. Could you give us an update on where we are with that process?”

In response, Mr Quince said: “I thank my right honourable friend, who has been a longstanding advocate for a new general hospital for Warrington.

“The expression of interest has been received from the trust, and we are currently in the process of reviewing expressions of interest for the eight new hospitals and aim to announce a final decision by the end of the year.

“I recently met with my honourable friend to hear about the plans, and the people of Warrington could not have a greater champion than my honourable friend.”

Speaking afterwards, Mr Carter revealed that the decision on where the hospital is built has not yet been finalised, with a shortlist of sites earmarked which meet a criteria set down by the NHS.

“A long list of about 20 sites has been considered, and the criteria looks at issues such as ambulance response times, the likelihood of availability, public transport links, the size of space required and land ownership,” he added.

“No final decisions have been taken on the site because we do not yet know the timescale for the build, and that is a key consideration.

“If you announce a site early before a deal is agreed, there are commercial considerations and I suspect any landowner will want to hike the price.”