£10m upgrade plans on HRI’s A&E and intensive care wards spark hopes of a U-turn on plans to close hospital

Hospital chiefs have confirmed that they are planning the upgrades and campaigners have cautiously welcomed the news.

Documents published for Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust’s board of directors indicate that a total of £9.7m has been earmarked for refurbishment of the Intensive Care Unit and improvements to the resuscitation area of the emergency department.

Lesley Hill, Director of Estates for Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, said “We have submitted bids for external capital funding to enable us to carry out essential work on a number of areas including our existing Emergency Department resuscitation area and Intensive Care Unit at HRI.

“Both areas currently have a repairs backlog.”

Mike Forster, chairman of Hands Off HRI, said the news confirmed the rumours. He went on to say “If they are about to spend that amount of money it would seem like they need to keep it open.

“To spend £10m, it would suggest they are going to save it.

“Hopefully this is the beginning of a u-turn.

“It would be ridiculous to spend that much otherwise, but I would like to see details of it.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist team of clinical negligence lawyers have years of experience in medical negligence compensation claims, and have obtained substantial compensation for our clients. Not only do we represent clients in Yorkshire, but because of our reputation we also represent clients nationally.

If you believe that you or a relative may have been injured as a result of clinical/medical negligence, please call for free legal advice from our medical negligence solicitors on the freephone number below.

Posted by Karen Motley, Paralegal, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (karenmotley@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

Freephone : 0800 304 738