New hospital to provide window on past

HISTORICAL artefacts from the original Selby War Memorial Hospital are to go on display at the town’s new £22m health facility, following a dedicated campaign to preserve its heritage.

Bosses at NHS North Yorkshire and York have announced items from the hospital, which was built in 1927, including the original war memorial stone, foundation stone and arch sign, will be installed at the new health facility designed to replace it which opens next month.

The move follows an outcry over controversial plans to re-name the new building Selby Community Hospital, which were defeated in a mini-referendum among residents by 1,713 votes to 116.

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Margaret Hewer, chair of the Friends of Selby War Memorial Hospital, said: “We are delighted that the artefacts from the old hospital are being preserved and re-homed, particularly the archway which is something many local people have been anxious to see retained. The Friends will proudly continue to fund-raise for the new hospital and we look forward to it opening soon.”

Original images of the exiting hospital will also be put on display in the new building.

Jayne Brown, chief executive of NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “The community project staff have been working hard to make sure that the history is well represented and preserved for patients, staff and visitors.”

She added: “We believe our plans are respectful and appropriate given the context of the new development, and we look forward to seeing it all unveiled.”

The project is a partnership between NHS North Yorkshire and York and Selby District Council to develop a new hospital and civic centre built on Doncaster Road in the town.

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