Councillors have been updated about the planned rebuild of Airedale Hospital.
The hospital in Steeton is set to be rebuilt because the majority of the hospital’s walls, floors and roofs were built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), also known as crumbly concrete, which risks collapse.
A final decision on whether the rebuild will be made by the new Labour government which is reviewing the previous government’s New Hospital Programme.
However, officials working for Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, are continuing to work on plans and remain committed to a goal of opening the new hospital by 2030.
Ahead of a North Yorkshire Council meeting on Friday in Northallerton, councillors have received an update from Stuart Shaw, director of strategy, planning and partnership at the trust, regarding the planned rebuild.
Mr Shaw wrote in an email that the first stage of work to determine where on the site the new hospital will be built is almost complete.
He said the next phase will involve building a new multi-storey car park potentially as early as next year.
The trust is consulting with staff, local residents, patients and visitors to help inform the car park design with a report set to be published before the end of the year.
Mr Shaw also said some hospital services are likely to be moved to elsewhere on the site whilst building work for the new hospital takes place.
He added:
“This is because there is very limited space available on the current site that can be built on so we will have to take down some existing buildings to create sufficient space for the new hospital to be built.
“We are expecting the majority of these moves to be within the current site but will also need to consider external locations if we are not able to achieve this or if it might be of benefit to patients for a particular service to be provided from a different site.”
Last week, Skipton’s Conservative MP Sir Julian Smith said he believes the planned rebuild will go ahead despite mixed signals from the new government.
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.”
Silsden hair and beauty business celebrates expansion
Strong A Level performance celebrated by county’s schools
Main section of A59 Kex Gill route set to open 'within weeks'
Successful launch for Craven Court's new independent bookshop
Free family music workshops coming to Skipton this weekend
Skipton streets targeted in £27,500 chewing gum clean-up
Police invite residents' views on Skipton Bus Station
Rise in number of children in care contributes to Council's £10m overspend forecast
Skipton coffee company celebrates top Great Taste award
Teenagers sentenced after terrifying knife-point robbery in Skipton
North Yorkshire schools set for £6.8m improvement programme
Skipton Business Awards finalists revealed after more than 1,200 nominations
Yorkshire children invited to nominate their parents to be 'slimed' on CBBC
Fresh calls for school transport changes to be abandoned amid claim council is ignoring own policy
Funding agreed to progress work on Skipton leisure hub redevelopments
Community rallies to help elderly driver find 'missing' car in Skipton
Dales Dazzler trail running event returns to Skipton
Everything you need to know about Skipton Pride this weekend
Police appeal after driver forgets where car was parked in Skipton
Shoplifter caught trying to dump stolen goods in Skipton bin
