Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell has welcomed the announcement of decision to put Urgent Treatment Centre at Rake Lane Hospital.

The local MP said, “I welcome the confirmation that the Urgent Treatment Centre will be at Rake Lane Hospital – it was the preferred choice of local people and something I strongly campaigned for. It is just a pity this sensible decision wasn’t made at the first time of asking.”

“I am disappointed that despite longer opening hours than originally proposed it will still not be a 24 hour walk in service. The CCG has decided on a new model of urgent care and I will be monitoring it closely to see if it works for local people and whether it is safe.”

“But the reality is if people want to see local services that expand rather than contract that investment will need a Labour Government”

“I hope however that the new Urgent Treatment Centre will reassure local people that Rake Lane Hospital is an important part of local healthcare and will remain so in the future”