A NEW committee has been set up to help drive forward the planning and delivery of a new hospital for Berwick.

Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is planning to rebuild Berwick Infirmary as part of its £200m investment.

The committee will develop plans to involve and engage the local community and staff of Berwick Infirmary so that they can help shape what the new hospital will look like.

The committee also aims to work in a spirit of partnership with other health and well-being providers and stakeholders.

The Trust has 80,000 members and elected governors will represent their views at the quarterly meetings of the committee to make sure that the voice of residents is heard and that the plans are consistent with the needs of the local population.

In 2009, the Trust visited many communities in the locality to ask them what they would like to see in the new hospital. The feedback from these engagement sessions is being fed into the development plans.

The committee is chaired by David Thompson, non executive director at the Trust. The board is made up of Berwick Infirmary modern matron Annaluisa Wood, manager Alyson Raine and representatives of the Trust’s Governors’ Body, The League of Friends, clinicians, estates manager, community services and Healthwatch. The Berwick Health and Well-Being Forum, Borders General Hospital, North East Ambulance Service and Education Service are also represented on the committee.

Mr Thompson said: “The people of the area have waited a long time for this, and I hope they realise that we are fully committed to providing this new facility.

“We will be working with all our staff and stakeholders and will be carrying out a rolling programme of engagement with local communities to ensure they get as many appropriate services as possible close to their homes.”