PLANS for three new state-of-the-art hospitals in the district have been revealed.

A joint bid to the government was submitted this month by The Act as One health and care partnership that covers Bradford District and Craven, and serves over 647,000 people. 

The £1.7 billion proposal includes rebuilding Airedale Hospital on its current site to create Europe’s first carbon neutral hospital, rebuilding Lynfield Mount to develop a new acute inpatient facility and replacing Bradford Royal Infirmary and St. Luke’s Hospital with a purpose built hospital on a single site.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, has hailed the ambitious plans: “We are excited by the proposal being submitted for three new hospitals that would revolutionise the way we deliver health and care while also contributing to our wider regeneration and recovery plans.

"I fully support the collective bid that shows the strength of our partnership that genuinely demonstrates the vision we have to Act as One in all that we do.”

The new hospitals would go beyond providing hospital care and include options that would encourage wider community use of the buildings to support people live well and contribute to the wider economic regeneration of the district and wider region. 

Helen Hirst, Chief Officer for NHS Bradford District and Craven CCG, said: “Our plans would radically transform health and care services for our communities, contribute to the wider economic recovery plans, encourage inward investment, attract and retain the best talent and build on wider regeneration plans both for Bradford District and Craven and our wider region.

"They would also allow us to positively contribute to carbon zero or carbon neutral ambitions.”

The combined bid is in addition to three individual proposals submitted by Airedale NHS Foundation Trust; Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The proposals are being backed by NHS Bradford District and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group, Bradford Council and the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership.

Mel Pickup, Chief Executive for Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We want to create modern health and care facilities that support our people and our citizens by securing safe, efficient and fit for purpose hospitals and healthcare for generations to come. We are excited by the opportunity that could be presented to us to really transform the way care is provided for our patients and their families.”  

The three hospitals would be developed as part of a phased programme starting with Lynfield Mount, Airedale Hospital and a new single-site solution combining St Luke’s Hospital and Bradford Royal Infirmary services on one site.

The Government’s New Hospitals Programme has already announced 32 new build projects. It is now considering the latest expressions of interest for a further eight projects.

A final decision on the eight new hospital schemes is expected to be announced by the Government in spring 2022.