Skipton’s Conservative MP Sir Julian Smith says he believes the planned re-build of Airedale Hospital will go ahead despite mixed signals from the new government.
Speaking at a meeting of Skipton and Ripon councillors yesterday, Mr Smith said he was “quietly confident” that a new hospital will be built on the site in Steeton but said pressure on the government must continue to ensure it happens.
The majority of the hospital’s walls, floors and roofs were built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), which could collapse after a 30-year lifespan.
It’s currently costing millions of pounds a year in repairs and temporary fixes to keep the hospital safe for patients.
In May, there was relief after the former Conservative government announced that a new hospital would be built on the current hospital site when it was added to the New Hospitals Programme.
However, the incoming Labour government announced a review of NHS building projects in order to to save £22bn from the public’s finances.
Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, has said plans for the rebuild are continuing whilst the review takes place.
Cllr Andy Brown (Green Party, Aire Valley), said councillors were “very concerned” about the current situation.
He asked if the MP could join with local members to send a joint message to the government regarding the importance of the rebuild.
In response, the newly knighted MP said he has been speaking to Keighley MP Robbie Moore as well as other Yorkshire MPs to put pressure on ministers.
Mr Smith said:
“I’m quietly confident it will go ahead due to levels of RAAC and the implications on health and safety.
It’s an extremely strong case, but we need to continue the pressure.
“It’s really important the hospital maintains confidence that it’s highly likely it will go ahead, but we need to nail that review and get it cleared.”
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