Plans for new hospital buildings in ‘21st century’ innovation scheme

EARLY PROPOSALS for two new hospital sites have been revealed by health bosses, under ambitious plans to redevelop parts of one of Yorkshire’s largest hospitals.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) has released artists’ impressions of plans for a stateof-the-art new healthcare building at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI), at a site opposite Millennium Square in the city centre. The proposals include a redevelopment of the city’s Children’s Hospital, currently based at the LGI’s Clarendon Wing.

Bosses at LTHT say they want to create “hospitals of the future”.

The new building opposite Millennium Square would be built on the site of the LGI’s former nurses home. The plans are still subject to detailed national assessments before they can be given the go-ahead. They are part of the Leeds Innovation District, unveiled by Leeds City Council last year as a flagship city centre scheme which would bring together Leeds’ universities and hospitals, and include a “21st century science park”.

Linda Pollard, chairwoman of LTHT, said: “Our hospitals have always been at the heart of the city so I am extremely pleased that the LGI site is an integral part of the proposed Innovation District with the many opportunities that brings. We are working closely with our partners including the local universities and Leeds City Council to develop the hospital for future generations, and enable us to continue to provide outstanding services into the 21st century.”

The plans have been revealed after the LGI this week celebrated its 250th anniversary since it first opened in Leeds in the 18th century.

LTHT on Tuesday launched a timeline, following the journey of the hospital through the decades, to mark the milestone. LTHT says its vision for the upgrades is based on “the creation of bespoke buildings and facilities tailored to the needs of our patients”.

The plans say that the area around Leeds Civic Hall, off Millennium Square, and the LGI and university sites will be improved over time. This includes improve- ments to roads, new pedestrian walkways and “open spaces for the community”.

LTHT says its hospitals will become the “cornerstone” of the Leeds Innovation District, once it is created in the northern area of Leeds city centre. The council hopes it will help the city’s universities and hospitals to work together more closely.