Airedale Hospital rebuild plans to proceed 'at pace' as it escapes Labour review because of crumbling concrete
Campaigners have argued for years over the state of Steeton's Airedale Hospital, with 83 per cent of its estate containing Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC).
A new building was announced by the former Conservative government in May - and then thrown into disarray as incoming Labour leaders announced a review.
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Hide AdNow, as Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirms Airedale is clear, because of the urgency of its crumbling concrete, trust leaders have breathed a huge sigh of relief.


Ambitions for other settings such as Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) do remain in question, however, as Labour said it had inherited a build programme that was "undeliverable" and "unfunded".
Mr Streeting, in a letter to MPs, said: "This government is fully committed to an NHS estate that is fit for the future.
"However, from our first weeks in office, it was clear that the New Hospitals Programme (NHP) was undeliverable, unaffordable, and estimated costs had risen by billions."
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Hide AdLabour wants to see new hospitals, he said, but was not prepared to offer "false hope" and he warned it must "reset" the programme to put it on a sustainable footing.
As he set out terms of reference, he added: "Central to the review is the understanding that the hospitals built primarily from RAAC need to be replaced as a priority, to protect patient and staff safety."
RAAC, also known as crumbling concrete, has a lifespan of just 30 years but was used to build much of the hospital's walls, floors and roofs.
In recent reports to Bradford Council, Airedale Hospital NHS Trust set out the scale of the challenge. This was the oldest RAAC hospital in the NHS, it said, with the largest flat roof.
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Hide Ad“Located in a geographical area of high rainfall, the substantial extent of RAAC, age and poor condition of roofing has resulted in the hospital experiencing more roof leaks than any UK hospital, presenting the NHS with major operational and financial challenges," reports read.
Robbie Moore MP, representing Skipton and Ilkley, has been a key driver for change. Having lobbied for years, he said he was pleased now at assurances for plans to proceed "at pace".
The Health Secretary confirmed that Airedale is now "out of scope" of review, he said, and also that funding was indeed signed off by the Conservatives until March 2025.
Mr Moore said: "My role will now be to ensure the works are completed by 2030, as previously announced. It is great news that the rebuild of Airedale Hospital will now continue to proceed at pace - and I will continue to hold our new government to that.”
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Hide AdBradford Council leader, Susan Hinchcliffe, added that it was "brilliant news". She said: "We've campaigned for years for a new hospital at Airedale and I’m delighted that in spite of the terrible financial challenges this Government has inherited this vital rebuild has been secured."