HEALTH leaders are to consider plans to create a brand new multi-million pound maternity unit in the grounds of the area's hospital. 

A new building for the service is set to be put forward as the preferred option to transform the facilities on offer at Furness General Hospital, in Barrow. 

Previously, a scheme to reconfigure the maternity ward and delivery suite within the Dalton Lane hospital itself was thought to have been the most likely way forward for the long overdue upgrade. 

Bosses at the trust that runs FGH said this week that the new build option was under consideration only at this stage, adding no firm decisions had yet been made. 

But they confirmed they expect a new unit to be opened by December 2017, in line with the recommendations made by government patient safety advisor Dr Bill Kirkup in his Morecambe Bay Investigation report. 

Dr David Walker, UHMBT medical director, said the trust was committed to providing new maternity facilities for women and their families across the area. 

“It is important to note that this is just a proposal at the moment, as we are still in the process of finalising details and securing the relevant funding. 

"Once the plans are finalised, they will then be discussed and presented for approval at a future Trust Board meeting to make sure that they will deliver not only an improved experience for women and their families, but also a high standard of safe and effective care." 

If senior staff within the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust give a green light to proposals to create a new build unit at FGH, it would contain maternity and delivery services, a special care baby unit, a bereavement suite and two dedicated operating theatres. 

The distance between the current maternity unit and the operating theatre at FGH has been critised and labelled unsafe for pregnant women and their unborn babies by both Dr Kirkup and government watchdog the Care Quality Commission. 

The work to upgrade facilities on site is set to be funded using part of a Department of Health loan of £13 million repayable at an interest rate of 2.2 per cent over 23 years. 

Though the loan has not yet been approved, it has been recommended by government body Monitor. 

Aaron Cummins, UHMBT finance director and deputy chief executive, said he expected no delays to the target completion date of December next year if the trust selected the new build option. 

"In terms of project delivery there is no risk to the timetable of completion by the end of 2017. 

"Last year we secured £1 million to fund this year's work in planning and quantity surveying work for the unit. 

"We would hope to have an update by March that the remainder of the loan is approved."