MP for Kettering Rosie Wrighting has raised the stalled rebuild of Kettering General Hospital’s maternity unit in the House of Commons.

Earlier this month it was revealed work on a £40m new maternity unit extension planned for Kettering General Hospital’s Rockingham Wing had been 'paused'.

Possible five-year delay as work on £40m new Kettering maternity unit extension ...

Hospital chiefs confirmed they are now considering two options – finding more funding for the extension or go for a total rebuild that could cost £200-350m.

Rosie Wrighting MP for Kettering speaking in the House of Commons Health Secretary Yvette Cooper (inset) /Parliament TV

The lack of progress was highlighted in questions to Health Secretary Yvette Cooper MP yesterday (Tuesday, October 20).

Ms Wrighting said: “The maternity ward at Kettering General hospital faces significant challenges with RAAC, overheating during the summer and flooding during the winter.

“We urgently need to see the maternity ward rebuilt, and the money raised by families for a bereavement suite put towards a safe space for families in the most difficult of times.”

Thanking the Secretary of State for all the work she has done on national maternity services, Ms Wrighting asked for a meeting to discuss the ‘specific challenges’ for KGH and ‘to make sure constituents get the maternity services they deserve’.

The Health Secretary chairs the National Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce and has pledged to publish a National Maternity Action Plan before the end of the year.

Ms Cooper said: “I know there is work under way for a new maternity and neonatal facility in Kettering General, and that that will include a bereavement suite and we want to work with the hospital and with the community on this.”

The top floor of the Rockingham Wing remains closed off due to the presence of structurally unsafe RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete).

A new £40m extension which was due to be added onto the maternity department had been planned to open in winter 2027.