AN MP says a “21st century” hospital is required for his constituency – not a downgrade of the current provision.

Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, referenced the controversial Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) for Darlington, Durham, Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby in a House of Commons debate over health inequalities.

He said was concerned about the STP and its suggestion that North Tees General Hospital could be downgraded and lose its accident and emergency department.

Mr Cunningham said the need for a new hospital in Stockton and the surrounding area was critical if health problems were to be addressed.

In 2010, the £464m 600-bed Wynyard Park project, which was intended to replacing ageing general hospitals in Stockton and Hartlepool, was scrapped after it fell victim to Government spending cuts amid concern about the upfront cost.

Former Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who signed off the project while Labour were in power, claimed it would save the NHS money and was the highest capital priority for the Department of Health.

Subsequently the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust tried to secure Government support for a slimmed down, cheaper version, costing £300m, but this plan floundered too because of an apparent lack of high-level political backing.

Mr Cunningham said there had been excellent work done locally and regionally to address health inequalities, but nonetheless the need for a new hospital had never been greater.

He said: “We live in an area where life expectancy can vary as much as 17 years across Stockton and we have amongst the greatest challenges from tobacco and alcohol, so we need the best facilities and health professionals to tackle it.

“I am determined that I will continue to demand the best for the people I represent and that means fighting for a 21st century hospital for them as well as the public health resources needed.”

The draft STP, published officially last week, envisages a significant shift from hospital-based treatment to more care in the community in a bid to address a potential £281m funding gap by 2021.

One of North Tees or Darlington Memorial Hospital could lose its A&E and other services, becoming a local hospital instead.

But a spokesman said: "All of our hospitals, including North Tees and Darlington will continue to have important roles in the future."