Work on £19m community hospital makes good progress

The 30-bed community hospital is being built by NHS East Riding on a 10-acre site in Swinemoor Lane and is due to open in spring next year.

The shell for the outpatient, minor injuries, diagnostic and neighbourhood care wings has been completed.

The hospital will replace the 36 beds at Hornsea Cottage Hospital, Alfred Bean Hospital, in Driffield, and Beverley Westwood, the latter of which will close.

The new hospital will feature outpatient facilities, diagnostic services, including X-ray and ultrasound, minor injuries services, out of hours facilities, therapy services and a base for the neighbourhood care team. Natural light and ventilation will provide a “relaxed and therapeutic” environment.

Health chiefs have spent £41,000 on dealing with legally-protected newts and other ecological issues on the site.

The discovery of a single great crested newt at the end of 2009 caused a delay of at least six months and prompted a series of surveys. Subsequently just one other newt – possibly the same one – was found.

Alex Seale, director of joint commissioning at NHS East Riding, said: “It’s all progressing very well on site. We are looking forward to a busy summer of construction.”