A decision on the further funding of the phase two development of the West Cumberland Hospital could be announced this month.

North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust is awaiting news from the Government on the future financing which would help create a new main entrance and car park as well as accommodating the remainder of the clinical services and office space.

The new £90m West Cumberland Hospital, which opened in October, houses the majority of clinical services.

Previously, Stephen Eames, chief executive at North Cumbria University Hospitals Trust, said that while it has been “tough financially’’ he was “pretty confident’’ phase two “will go ahead in some shape or form”.

Mr Eames said: “The outline business case for this phase, with a total capital cost of £31.795m, was approved by the NHS Trust Development Authority in January 2015 subject to approval of the final business case.

“As previously publicly reported by the trust, the estimated costs to fulfil the refurbishment work of retained estate were higher than projected, therefore work has been undertaken to look at a positive range of options for the next phase.”