A FOUR year delay in plans to build a new North-East hospital has been condemned by the region's MPs.

It was on June 17 2010 that then Health Minister Simon Burns announced the Coalition Government was cancelling proposals to open a state-of-the art £464m hospital at Wynyard Park, near Billingham, because of the cost.

It was designed to replace outdated facilities at the University Hospital of Hartlepool and University Hospital of North Tees.

But the failure of the Government to support a cheaper £300m version of the proposals has been called "outrageous".

“I think the whole process would be deemed farcical were it not so serious, said Hartlepool's Labour MP, Ian Wright. "The issue is about the future of hospital services in our area but the Government has washed its hands of it.”

He said if it was not approved soon, the local NHS should scrap the Momentum programme, which has been transferring services away from the University Hospital of Hartlepool in favour of the University Hospital of North Tees.

Stockton North’s Labour MP, Alex Cunningham, said: “Health inequality is a major issue on Teesside, yet the current Government axe plans for our new hospital four years ago.

"I’m told Ministers accept a new hospital to replace two existing ones at North Tees and Hartlepool is the right way forward. When will they act to remove the final barriers to the project and give the support that is needed.”

Phil Wilson, Labour MP for Sedgefield, said: “My concern is that this is dragging on and on. We need a modern hospital on one site which meets the needs of the local population, where there are significant health issues. We need a decision now. To wait four years is outrageous.”

Grahame Morris, Labour MP for Easington, added: "I believe we will have to wait for the election of a Labour Government before we can look forward to a new replacement hospital."

A spokeswoman for the North Tees and Hartlepol NHS Trust said: “Our independent regulator Monitor has now done its assessment of affordability of the new hospital. The Department of Health has been asking for clarification about the scheme and they will decide whether they can support us with the £100m public dividend capital we’re looking for alongside the private finance money.”

A Department of Health spokesman said: “The Department of Health is currently considering the business case put forward by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust. The proposals represent a very significant financial commitment and it is vital we ensure they are value for money and affordable to the trust.”