CONFIRMATION that Airedale General Hospital will be rebuilt has been welcomed by the district's MPs. 

It had been feared that the Steeton hospital could be included in a Government review of its New Hospital Programme being carried out by Treasury and the Department for Health and Social Care.

But, last week Wes Streeting Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said rebuilding of the hospital, which is made primarily from Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated 'crumbly' Concrete (RAAC), would continue 'at pace'.

He said: “Airedale Hospital will not be included in the review of New Hospital Programme, we recognise that hospitals made primarily from RAAC are a priority to ensure patient and staff safety.

“However unlike the previous government I am not prepared to mislead local people over the cost and offer false hope about how soon they will benefit from the facilities they deserve. We are working at pace because I recognise how important it is that we commit to a realistic timetable to complete this scheme and deliver the healthcare facility local people need and deserve.

“We will not play fast and loose with the public finances, nor will we play fast and loose with people’s trust as the previous Government did."

Jonathan Hinder, who won the new Pendle and Clitheroe seat for Labour at July's general election, said: “I am incredibly pleased by the announcement today from the Health Secretary that work will continue at pace on the Airedale rebuild.

“The building is long past its usable life, and I am glad to see that the new Labour government have recognised the urgent need to rebuild services that my constituents in Pendle rely on. There is no clearer sign of the damage the Conservatives have done to our NHS, than the crumbling Airedale Hospital that patients from my constituency are being treated in.

“I welcome today’s announcement that recognises that Airedale Hospital, built primarily from Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), needs to be replaced to protect patient and staff safety.

“Like all local people I’m frustrated with the continued delay, the rebuild of Airedale Hospital is long overdue. But the Tories have left a black hole in our finances and cynically committed to rebuilding the hospital without committing anywhere close to the funding required to deliver it.

“I will continue to push for the rebuild of Airedale Hospital, working with a Labour government to get this done as soon as possible."

Foluke Ajayi, Chief Executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is absolutely fantastic news to have confirmation that Airedale Hospital is out of scope for the New Hospital Programme review and will be going ahead.

“With RAAC areas making up 83 per cent of our estate, we need a new hospital so we can continue providing services for our local communities, as such we have been carrying on with our work to prepare for having a new hospital in place by 2030. We are delighted that the need for a new Airedale Hospital has been recognised, and very grateful for the support we have had from our partners and the local communities.

“Our journey to our new hospital is now moving into the second stage, which is getting the site ready to build the hospital. We have a very busy time ahead as this will include building a new substation to bring extra power to the site and a new car park to make sure there is enough parking for patients and staff while the hospital is being built. We will also be continuing with the structural support programme across the hospital to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors, and staff, until the time comes that we can move into our new hospital."

Skipton MP Julian Smith, who recently told a meeting of North Yorkshire Council that he believed it was 'very likely' that the rebuild would take place, received a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter from Wes Streeting MP, outlining that Airedale Hospital is out of the scope of the review.

He  said, "I am very pleased to read confirmation that the Airedale Hospital rebuild, initiated by the previous Conservative government, will still go ahead. This is really positive news and my focus will continue to be that the rebuild is completed on schedule."