UNEXPECTED problems have led to a further delay in the opening of Tewkesbury's new £10 million hospital.
It was due to take its first patients today but yesterday health bosses said that would not happen and the hospital would not be opening its doors to the public as expected on Monday.
They blamed a 'snagging list' of what they said were relatively minor issues with the new building that needed to be sorted.
And although they insisted there were no big problems with the hospital, they admitted that they could not say when it would open.
It follows a two-month delay previously, with the hospital originally due to have opened in June.
Officials from the Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust, which owns and manages the Barton Road facility, said that had been caused by the very wet weather earlier this year, which caused problems for the builders.
Susan Field, the trust's director of adult services, said: "We had hoped to be moving the first patients in over this weekend, but the final commissioning checks have highlighted a number of technical issues which need to be resolved before Gloucestershire Care Services can formally take over the new Tewkesbury Community Hospital building.
"It means we are going to have delay moving for the final works to be completed to our satisfaction. This is so that we can provide assurance to patients, staff and visitors that our new facilities meet the highest standards in terms of quality and safety.
"At this stage, we do not have a completion date, but we will make sure that the information is well publicised as soon as we know the detail.
"It means that, for the time being, we will continue to run our outpatient clinics from the present hospital site, and we will be working closely with GPs and colleagues in the wider health community in Gloucestershire to make this as smooth as possible.
"Although we will not be receiving new admissions at present, we will continue to care for patients who are on our ward at the moment."
The trust said it was communicating this to people via its website, the local media, Tewkesbury Hospital Friends and other community groups, to make sure everyone was informed.
Patients, visitors and staff are asked to continue to use the Barton Road entrance to the present Tewkesbury Hospital, and use its telephone numbers. The main number for the hospital will continue to be 01684 293303.
Yesterday's late problems were disappointing for staff but the trust is looking on the bright side by reflecting on a very successful open day it held at the new hospital.
More than 900 people had a look around the two-storey building, which has upgraded equipment and larger treatment rooms than the current hospital.
Ms Field said: "The community day was all about opening the doors of the hospital to the local community, as the new hospital will be at the heart of Tewkesbury.
"It was fantastic to see so many people turn up to look around, and we had lots of great ideas for naming the patient rooms too. We know from the open day how excited local people are to see the new hospital opening, and we will be working hard to make sure we can be fully up and running as soon as possible."
The existing hospital will be demolished once the new one has opened.
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