Airedale could become Europe's first carbon neutral hospital
The ambitious plans could see three new hospitals across Bradford and Craven district
Last updated 24th Sep 2021
Europe’s first carbon neutral hospital could be created on the site of the current Airedale Hospital.
The NHS in Bradford and Craven is bidding for a £1.7bn of government money to build three new hospitals in the Bradford District.
The current Airedale building is over 60 years old, making it difficult to meet carbon neutral goals.
A final decision is expected to be announced by the government in spring 2022.
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.
Building on extensive work involving a range of partners, community groups, health and care staff and feedback from citizens on current health and care facilities, the proposals would see state-of-the-art facilities being developed over the coming years.
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.
The bid links to broad-ranging plans that are considering how other buildings and community assets – such as health centres, GP surgeries and community centres, can help deliver the health, care and wellbeing services to meet future needs.
Councillor Richard Foster, Leader of Craven District Council, said: “This is a truly impressive proposal that shows how we are working collaboratively to transform health and care. I am delighted to be able to back this bid that would bring a real sense of pride and help us attract the best talent to Bradford District and Craven. This bid could be a real game changer for all of us.”
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.”