Hospital bosses in search for new site

From the Telegraph & Argus, first published Monday 27th Dec 2004.

Health chiefs in Bingley today revealed they were considering building a state-of-the-art hospital and health centre in the town centre, but refused to identify the possible location.

Airedale Primary Care Trust is looking at different plans for Bingley Hospital.

David Riley, director of corporate development at Airedale PCT, said the trust had decided to either build a new hospital in the town or on the existing site.

But Mr Riley said an option to refurbish the present hospital in Fernbank Drive had been scrapped because it was "unfeasible".

And he said a timescale for the completion of the final development could not be given because work was continuing about land issues and costs, which could take months to finalise.

Mr Riley said: "There have been about six different sites that we've been looking at.

"There are two or three which are real possibilities but at this stage because of commercial confidentiality we can't make public where these sites are.

"Realistically I would say we could be making a decision (on the options) by the end of March.

"If we don't get any joy out of the town sites and if it becomes the only option, we will look at redeveloping Bingley Hospital.

"But the final decision will go to the board."

Bosses have been looking at replacing services at the hospital, built in 1889, to address a budget shortfall at Airedale NHS Trust, which runs hospital services for the Airedale population, and the three options were originally put forward in March.

A public consultation took place and the public feedback was so close that further feasibility studies were run by the PCT.

The new facilities will be provided by the LIFT project, working with Airedale PCT.

Mr Riley said the feasibility studies had concluded that redeveloping the present site was a possibility but work would have to be carried out to improve access to the entrance and exit points for traffic.

The study had concluded that traffic in the area would not increase significantly if a new building was built on the present site.

Only one third of Bingley Hospital's internal space is actively used because of asbestos problems, and the upper two floors are used for storage.

The hospital has neurology, paediatric, ante-natal and general surgery clinics, as well as physiotherapy services.

Airedale PCT has also proposed that GP services in Bingley are brought to the same location as hospital services in the town.

Mr Riley said: "The future of the hospital is still a high priority for us.

"When anything is announced we will endeavour to make sure the public is made aware of the situation."

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