The first NHS hospital in the UK to be built under private finance initiative (PFI) has ended the contract put in place for its construction and maintenance.
The Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle cost £67m and was built and run through a scheme agreed under Tony Blair’s Labour government. It opened in 2000 with a 45-year contract.
North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC), which runs the hospital, has announced it has left the contract four years ahead of a 30-year break clause, effective from 31 March.
NCIC said the no-fault voluntary termination will provide value for money and was agreed by the Department for Health and Social Care and Treasury.