WARRINGTON and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has failed to secure £40m of government funding to build a new health and wellbeing campus in Runcorn.

Plans revealed by the trust would have seen a new Halton Hospital built after the government earmarked Runcorn as one of 10 ‘healthy new towns’ across the country.

But while the government has announced £760m of funding for the scheme to improve and modernise wards and health services across the country, none of this money has been given to Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Chief executive Mel Pickup said: “We note the Department of Health and Social Care’s announcement today relating to capital funding of £760m for building projects.

"Unfortunately, the £40m bid submitted for the proposed Halton Hospital and wellbeing campus was unsuccessful on this occasion.

"While we are naturally very disappointed, we will continue to press forward with Halton’s health and social care partners to consider how we might fund this project.

“We believe in Halton healthy new town, and despite this setback remain committed to delivering the legacy that the patients, staff and communities of Halton deserve through this first-of-a-kind integrated hospital and community wellbeing resource.

"We congratulate our colleagues in the north that were successful in their bids for capital.”

MPs have slammed the government’s decision not to allocate any funding to the project.

A joint statement issued by Halton MP Derek Twigg and Weaver Vale MP Mike Amesbury said: "The news that the government has failed to allocate funding for the new Halton Hospital and associated projects is a massive blow to health provision in our area, and yet another indication that this government are failing to properly and fairly resource NHS services and buildings in Halton and Cheshire.

"A huge amount of time, resources and effort was put into preparing the bid, and as local MPs we would like to thank all those involved for their work.

“Whilst we had some questions relating to detail and delivery, the bid as a whole offered an excellent chance to for a brand new hospital serving the people of Halton and the surrounding area – as such this news will be a bitter disappointment to residents, patients and staff.

"We will be seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State to express our shock and disappointment at this decision, discuss what effects it may have on other elements of health plans and provision locally and to make the case yet again for vital NHS investment in our area.

"This decision is further evidence that the Tories simply cannot be trusted with our NHS.

“As Labour MPs, we will continue to stand up for the people we represent and the NHS that we all rely on and hold dear."