Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of proposals to replace the Berwick Infirmary with a new facility in Tweedmouth built in conjunction with a leisure centre rather than rebuilding on the existing site, and whether appropriate consultation has taken place.

How and where National Health Service services are provided is a matter for local health and care leaders to decide with the local population. Northumberland County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee support these proposals, considering them as meeting the healthcare needs of the people of Berwick.

Since the proposals are not regarded as a substantial change to current service provision, no formal public consultation has been required. However, local public engagement has, and will, continue to be carried out as the scheme progresses.