HEALTH bosses in charge of making plans to refurbish Barrow's hospital have reacted to government plans to review the New Hospitals Programme.

The initiative to build and maintain hospitals in England was announced four years ago with Furness General Hospital in line to receive cash to fix crumbling buildings.

But the programme is now being reviewed by the new Labour government.

The Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Health Board said proposals to improve FGH were still being worked on.

The ICB previously said more than £21 million of investment was needed at FGH to tackle the maintenance backlog.

A spokesperson for the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria said: “We are in the early stages of working up proposals for Furness General Hospital as part of the national New Hospital Programme.

“Investment is needed in Furness General Hospital’s infrastructure in the context of its strategic importance and geographically remote location.

"We welcome and await the outcome of the national New Hospital Programme review.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced last week that the Government would conduct a 'complete review' of the New Hospital Programme.

The initiative, originally announced by the Conservatives, committed to the construction of 40 new hospitals in England by 2030.

Health leaders said trusts will be 'deeply concerned' about further delays to the scheme as 'too many NHS buildings and facilities are falling to bits'.

However, Ms Reeves told the House of Commons that the previous government maintained the commitment 'without anywhere close' to the cash needed to deliver it.

She said: “We need to be straight to the British people about what is deliverable and what is affordable.

“So, we will conduct a complete review of the New Hospital Programme with a thorough, realistic and positive timetable for delivery.”

Reacting to the announcement, Saffron Cordery, deputy chief executive at NHS Providers, said: “Trusts will be deeply concerned about further New Hospital Programme delays.

“These projects can transform services for people after years of under-investment in the fabric of the NHS. Too many NHS buildings and facilities are falling to bits."