Construction has begun on a £32m expansion programme at Chapel Allerton Hospital that will increase surgical capacity and modernise inpatient facilities for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
Kier has been appointed to deliver the scheme.
This scheme includes a new three-storey operating theatre extension alongside the refurbishment of existing hospital space to create a new inpatient ward.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2027.
What is in the Chapel Allerton Hospital expansion plans?
The purpose-built theatre block will provide two operating theatres, together with associated clinical support accommodation, enabling the trust to carry out more surgical procedures and respond to growing demand for elective care.
Existing areas within the hospital will also be refurbished to provide modern inpatient accommodation and upgraded support facilities.
Chapel Allerton Hospital is a specialist centre for musculoskeletal care and research, delivering a range of outpatient and inpatient services.
The investment is intended to strengthen the hospital's long-term surgical capacity while improving the quality of its clinical estate.
The project also incorporates a range of sustainability measures, including heat recovery systems, smart energy monitoring and low-energy lighting, aimed at improving the building's energy performance and reducing operational carbon emissions.
Alongside the construction works, Kier said it will deliver social value initiatives through local employment and skills opportunities, engagement with schools and community groups, and the use of regional supply chains.
The contractor recently told Building Better Healthcare that NHS construction projects should be measured by their long-term impact on communities and workforce development, rather than traditional activity-based metrics such as apprenticeship hours and volunteering days.
The contractor has delivered a number of healthcare projects across Yorkshire and the North East in recent years, including the Sunderland Specialist Eye Hospital and the Tees Valley Community Diagnostic Centre.
"Modern theatre facilities and upgraded wards will increase capacity and create a more supportive environment for recovery,” said Steve Lynn, Regional Director for Kier Construction North & Scotland.
