An outline planning application has been submitted for new adult and children’s hospitals on the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) site.
The proposal, by Gilling Dod Architects, paves the way for the development, which is part of the Hospitals of the Future programme to transform healthcare for patients in Leeds and the wider region.
Funding will come from the Government’s recent announcement of a £2.8billion investment in new hospitals and health facilities across England.
The adult hospital will include new theatres for day-case procedures as well as critical care facilities.
The recent funding means we can develop a hospital site that is modern, environmentally sustainable and efficient. This, in turn, will free up more funds for direct patient care
And the new children’s hospital will bring together services for children and young people in a building purpose built for their needs.
The chief executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Julian Hartley, described the announcement as ‘wonderful news’.
He added: “This is an historic development in the future of patient care in Leeds and the wider region.
“This investment will enable the trust to take a huge leap forward in how it delivers care for patients from Leeds and beyond.
“The benefits of this funding will be far-reaching.
“We will be able to develop healthcare based on advanced medical and digital technologies, innovation and research.”
Many of the buildings on the current LGI site are not fit for the delivery of modern healthcare services, yet the trust still has to spend large amounts every year to maintain them.
Hartley said: “The recent funding means we can develop a hospital site that is modern, environmentally sustainable and efficient. This, in turn, will free up more funds for direct patient care.”
This is an historic development in the future of patient care in Leeds and the wider region
In addition, the development will release land and buildings to support the development of a new Innovation District for Leeds.
Some, like the Grade I listed Gilbert Scott Building, will be offered for sympathetic redevelopment to preserve their heritage for the city.
Linda Pollard, chairman of the trust, said: “This is amazing news.
“It will be a significant investment in health services for patients from Leeds and the wider region and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city of Leeds.”
The trust still has a number of stages to complete before it can start building the new hospitals, but expects the work to take around three years.