PROPOSALS to make the new Wharfedale Hospital a 'locality hospital' providing day surgery and outpatient facilities have been revealed.

The new hospital will also be undertaken as a project

separate from major changes to Leeds health provision and put on a fast track to completion.

And now the proposals, which are part of a major £135 million transformation of health services in Leeds, are out for public consultation.

The three-month-long consultation, which ends on April 28, will include a series of public meetings and talks with various organisations.

Copies of the consultation document will also be available to anyone who wants one.

It is proposed that the new Wharfedale Hospital - which is still waiting for planning

permission at the chosen site off the Pool Road, Otley - will be redeveloped as a separate

project.

It should mean the redeveloped hospital will be finished more quickly.

It will be paid for out of an estimated £97 million from the private sector, Private Finance Initiative (PFI).

The proposals, which should take place over the next five years, will also see changes to the Leeds General Infirmary and St James's Hospital as well as the city's other smaller hospitals and medical institutes.

They include:

l The setting up of a modern cancer centre at St James's to replace facilities at Cookridge Hospital.

l A children's Hospital at LGI following the £19 million refurbishment of the Clarendon Wing.

l A major development at the Leeds General Infirmary for the transfer of trauma services from St James's.

l Refurbishment of The Chancellor and Gledhow wings at St James's.

Mike Ramsden, chief executive of Leeds Health Authority, said: "It is important that the people of Leeds have their say on these very significant

proposals for change in the organisation of hospital

services in Leeds.

"We have arranged a series of public meetings at different venues across the city and will be issuing copies of the consultation document to the public as well as local voluntary and statutory bodies to obtain their views."

And David Johnson. Chief executive of the Leeds Teaching Hospital's NHS Trust, added that the proposals if taken up will have a dramatic impact on health care

provision.

"They will bring major

benefits to patients as we improve services in a way which enables doctors to work together more effectively and to develop their specialist skills."

He added that the proposals would lead the way to Leeds becoming one of the leading centres for research and

medical education in the world.

"It is an extremely exciting and demanding prospect. I look forward to everyone involved with health care in the city and surrounding areas giving us their views to help ensure we shape our services in the right way for patients," he said.

Copies of the consultation document can be obtained from Julie Turner at Leeds Health Authority, Blenhiem House, Duncombe Street, Leeds (0113) 2952010.

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