Mid-January date for critical centre

A NEW Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary is likely to open in "mid-January" next year - with hospital bosses hoping it will have an immediate benefit during the busy winter period.

- SAM VOLPE

The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust are due to receive the keys to the new building on December 15, a board meeting heard last week.

In discussing the trust's plan for the winter, director of improvement and delivery Nichola Kenny said: "The UTC is currently on track for us to have the keys on December 15." She added: "We will be looking to have it open in mid-January."