THE reopening of a hospital ward has been delayed by a month.

The 16-bed inpatient ward at Shotley Bridge Hospital, near Consett, was temporarily closed in October due to problems with the water supply.

Concerns were raised that a leaking water tank could potentially cause a power cut and it would prove difficult to evacuate patients from the tower block in an emergency.

Work to resolve the problem was scheduled to be complete by the end of January, allowing the ward to reopen in February.

However, NHS Property Services says work has yet to be completed and the reopening has now been scheduled for the end of March.

A statement from County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust said: “We remain committed to reopening the ward at Shotley Bridge but will only do so when we are all collectively assured about patient safety.

“We have therefore reflected the further work required in the timeline for the reopening and this is now being projected as the end of March.

Local health campaigners had raised concerns over the long-term future of both the ward and of the hospital itself.

Cllr Owen Temple, who represents Consett North, said he was “bitterly disappointed” at the delay, but highlighted the statement’s commitment to reopen the ward.