Calls for fresh pledge on hospital rebuild

A large number of Raac panels in Airedale Hospital need propping up

Voters in Keighley and Ilkley are calling for a fresh commitment from whichever party forms the next government to rebuild their crumbling hospital.

Airedale Hospital, which serves 220,000 people in West Yorkshire and beyond, was built in the 1960s using reinforced aerated autoclaved concrete (Raac) which has a limited lifespan.

Hospital bosses have previously warned the building was in such a poor condition it was "unfit for purpose".

Last year ministers pledged to add Airedale to a refreshed hospital rebuild list, however funding has not yet been allocated.

The BBC spoke with parents and staff at the Little Blossoms toddler group in Addingham, near Ilkley, about their concerns about the state of the hospital and their thoughts on wider health issues.

Hayley Dunn (pictured with her son) runs the Little Blossoms parent toddler group in Addingham

Marie Wardle, who has a four-month-old son Val, said she would welcome investment in the hospital.

"If they start thinking of shutting it down rather than rebuilding it, that would be problematic," she added.

Hayley Dunn, who runs the group, gave birth to her son Elliott at Airedale and said it was a "tired" building.

"Obviously, if it's dangerous, I would be for (a rebuild) of course."

And Jill Varley, of St Peter's Church, which hosts the group, said both her daughter and mother had received "outstanding" care at Airedale over the years.

She said a fresh commitment to fund a rebuild as soon as possible should "absolutely" be a priority for the next government.

"It's essential, if it has got Raac," she said.

"I have a high opinion of Airedale Hospital and I think it's a very valuable resource for the whole community."

Jill Varley said a commitment to rebuild Airedale Hospital is "essential"

Raac is a lightweight material that was used mostly in flat roofing, but also in floors and walls, between the 1950s and 1990s.

Although a cheaper alternative to standard concrete, it is less durable and has a lifespan of about 30 years.

Richard Burgin, estates manager at Airedale Hospital, said about 83% of the hospital estate is made up of Raac.

He said there were 20,000 panels throughout the hospital in "floors, the rooms and the walls," which had to be constantly temporarily patched up.

Although Airedale was added to the hospital rebuild list, funding has not been secured.

A full business case is due to be submitted to the government later this year and funding of £1.5bn is subject to approval of that.

If the next government were to approve it then building work could begin by the end of 2026.

Richard Burgin, estates manager at Airedale General Hospital, said about 83% of the estate is made up of Raac

The candidates running in Keighley & Ilkley are:

Chris Adams (Liberal Democrat)

Dominic Atlas (The Yorkshire Party)

John Grogan (Labour)

Andrew Judson (Reform UK)

Robbie Moore (Conservative)

Vaz Shabir (Independent)

John Wood (Green).

For more on this story, see BBC Politics North (Yorkshire) on BBC1 at 10.00 BST or on the BBC iPlayer.

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