OTLEY MP Alex Sobel has visited the town’s Wharfedale Hospital to get an update on a new £10 million initiative.

The Elective Care Hub is designed to enhance healthcare services in the area and will see elective day surgery for a number of conditions including minor cancers, urology and benign gynaecology.

There will be two new state-of-the-art operating theatres, a recovery unit, and an admissions and discharge area. One of the existing hospital wards will be come an overnight stay facility.

Wharfedale Hospital plans to recruit 100 new staff and initially start with a six-days a week ward, with plans to move that to a full seven days.

Mr Sobel said: “The £10 million Elective Care Hub is a positive step towards catering to the growing demand for healthcare services in the community.

“The new hub will cater for an additional 3,500 cases per year. This will make a significant difference as since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Wharfedale Hospital has faced a doubled workload.”

The introduction of elective day surgery is a collaborative effort shared with Harrogate Trust.

Mr Sobel added: “Once completed in October 2024 it will provide more accessible and efficient healthcare options for the residents of Wharfedale and surrounding areas”.

On his visit, Mr Sobel was told of the the challenges that persist in providing healthcare locally, particularly in the recruitment of staff. Public transport issues affect employees commuting to and from the hospital at their start and finish times.

He said: “A mobile theatre was introduced nine months ago, the latest development, however, promises an even faster and more efficient service delivery for complex medical procedures”.

The hospital has also been making efforts towards a more sustainable future, with the recent installation of solar panels above the car park.

Mr Sobel was also shown how no clinical waste from the hospital goes to landfill, with appropriate disposal methods in place, including incineration for certain waste types. The hospital has successfully cut carbon emissions by a third, amounting to a substantial reduction of carbon. Solar panels contribute significantly to this achievement, resulting in a 15 per cent annual reduction in carbon emissions.

Mr Sobel said: “It was really impressive to hear that the hospital recently powered the entire facility with solar energy for an entire day, this shows their dedication to environmentally conscious practices.”

He expressed his delight at the progress made by Wharfedale Hospital and emphasised the importance of continued investment in healthcare infrastructure to meet the evolving needs of the community.