KEIGHLEY and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has spoken of his “determination” to secure a full rebuild of Airedale Hospital.

Mr Moore said replacing the current building, which is over half a century old, had been a priority since his election.

Earlier this year he secured a Commons debate on the issue.

And he has won support for his campaign from neighbouring MPs, Philip Davies – of Shipley – and Skipton & Ripon’s Julian Smith.

“Airedale has been rated as one of Yorkshire’s best hospitals with 97 per cent of patients likely – or extremely likely – to recommend its services,” said Mr Moore.

“However, the building is now more than 50 years old – despite being constructed with a lifespan of just 30 years – and 83 per cent of it is made from aerated concrete, known for its structural deficiencies.”

Last month, plans for a new Airedale Hospital were amongst an ambitious £1.7 billion-plus package of proposals put forward to the Government.

The new complex would be Europe’s first carbon-neutral hospital.

The package – submitted by the Act as One health and care partnership, which covers Bradford district and Craven – also included proposals for other new-build hospitals.

Lynfield Mount in Bradford would be rebuilt to develop a new acute inpatient facility.

And Bradford Royal Infirmary and St Luke’s would be replaced with a single-site, purpose-built hospital.

Mr Moore said that last year he had secured £1.7m from the Government for vital maintenance work at Airedale Hospital and to expand A&E capacity.

But he pledged to continue pressing for a replacement hospital, which would be built on the site of the existing one at Steeton.

He added: “Levelling-up means delivering better healthcare.

“Airedale has amazing staff, but they need a new hospital to match their outstanding service. That’s why I’m campaigning for a full rebuild.

“I am delighted with the plans put together by Airedale’s chief executive, Brendan Brown, and I’m continuing to lobby the Health Secretary Sajid Javid hard in Westminster to make sure we deliver the new hospital that we all want to see. I’ll always fight for the very best for our community.

“As we recover from the pandemic, the Government has made healthcare a priority.

“The Prime Minister has reiterated the Government’s commitment to the NHS, with 48 new hospitals, 50,000 more nurses, 50 million more GP appointments and a pledge to tackle NHS backlogs as we ‘build back better’ from the pandemic.”

Mr Moore is urging people to support the calls for a new hospital by visiting robbiemoore.org.uk/AiredaleHospital.