Ilkley’s ageing Coronation Hospital is in line for a £300,000-plus revamp in the next year and a half under plans by owner NHS Property Services.

A report by a clinical commissioning group, outlining plans for improvement work and medium-term commitment to providing services from the Springs Lane hospital, is due to go before Bradford Council’s Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee today, Thursday.

Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says NHS Property Services Ltd has plans to invest upwards of £300,000 in the next three months to keep the building operational.

Plans are said to include internal and external decoration, new floor coverings, upgraded lighting and sanitary fittings, and replacement of outdated signage. Organisations which provide healthcare services have confirmed their commitment to continuing to provide services from the cottage hospital in the medium term.

But the CCG’s report also warns that healthcare services may be provided closer to patients’ homes in the longer term.

In its report, the CCG says: “Currently the rental costs for the Ilkley Coronation are in excess of income generated. Having clinicians and other healthcare professionals working from community based services has to be balanced against the loss of that expertise at the central site.

“Making the best use of this resource for the whole community has to be considered. In future there will be other ways to access clinical expertise using technology to connect remotely which enables greater access to specialist opinion for everyone.”

Committee chairman, Ilkley ward councillor Mike Gibbons (Con), asked representatives to attend and give an update on the future of the hospital.

A full rebuild of the hospital, including a £3.3million community hospital scheme, were previously suggested by the area’s primary care trust (PCT), prior to the reorganisation of the NHS.

The CCG report also reveals Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, which also runs the Airedale Hospital, decided against taking back the ownership of the Coronation Hospital when primary care trusts were abolished earlier this year, because of the extensive maintenance and refurbishment investment required.

Representatives of NHS Property Services and the CCG are expected to attend the committee meeting at Bradford City Hall.