THE Health Secretary has taken a look around the hospital where staff have to move entire wards due to safety concerns.

Steve Barclay MP visited Steeton as part of the Government’s plans for a new state-of-the-art Airedale Hospital.

Built in the late 1960s, Airedale Hospital was largely constructed using reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete, known as RAAC.  RAAC was found to have a lifespan of 30 years - making the hospital’s crumbling structure out of date by decades.

Structural engineers had long advised that the hospital should be replaced as soon as possible.

The minister spoke to staff about how the ambitious plan, part of a Government pledge to build 40 new hospitals by 2030, will transform their working lives.

Foluke Ajayi, chief executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The discovery of the RAAC has put a lot of pressure on our colleagues. Our engineers spend every single day examining and monitoring walls, floors and ceilings to check for changes. We might discover something needs propping up, sometimes that needs to be done within hours. Within hours our staff are having to move rooms.

“We have staff that are very flexible and understanding. They understand it’s important in terms of the safety of the hospital. But it creates inefficiencies as well. Our endoscopy service is split across two locations while their usual environment is going through remedial works.”

Asked how Airedale had been allowed to reach its current state, the health minister said: “Some hospitals have actually stood for a much longer period of time but what the engineers have identified is there are specific risks with the way hospitals like Airedale were constructed.

“That is a point that local members of Parliament - Robbie Moore, Andrew Stephenson, Julian Smith, Philip Davies - have really emphasised in their lobbying of Government to ensure Airedale secured its funding for a complete new hospital. They’ve been hugely effective in the case they made and in drawing attention to the fact there has been these degradation of concrete. That is why we’re committed to prioritising schemes like Airedale.  “The next phase of that will be the enabling works through its multi-storey car park, staff will be able to see that later this year as part of our journey towards a complete rebuild.”

When pressed on how key lobbying from the region’s Conservative MPs had been for Airedale’s bid, the minister said: “The fact I’m here visiting speaks volumes about the effective campaign.

“They’ve been very clear how important this was to staff, having to work around the temporary repairs that were going on.

“Already investment had been secured - the £50 million for the new ICU and the administrative block - but clearly that was not sufficient. That was the case they made to me, to the Prime Minister, to other ministers. The Government has listened to that and acted. That’s why Airedale is being prioritised.”

Reflecting on the minister’s visit, Ms Ajayi said: “It signifies Government are really interested in investing in what’s happening here and they have an understanding of the challenges we are facing.

“It shows commitment to our local population and understanding the people we serve will have a service that’s fit for purpose.”

Mr Moore said afterwards: "After spending the last three-and-a-half years tirelessly lobbing the Government for a brand new hospital, I was delighted to welcome our Health Secretary Stephen Barclay to Keighley following the news announced by our Conservative Government that all necessary funds have been secured.

"We have heard first-hand about what our new hospital will mean for our community and the Health Secretary had the chance to meet some of Airedale’s fantastic doctors, nurses and hardworking staff for a round table discussion about the future of healthcare in our area.

"This is without doubt one of the most significant investments announced for Keighley in decades, and will secure the future of healthcare on the Airedale site for many generations to come.

"My priority for Airedale is now ensuring we see our new hospital built as quickly as possible, in advance of the 2030 deadline. It was therefore fantastic to hear during the visit that enabling work will start as early as this year.

"I thank the fantastic Airedale NHS Foundation Trust for its tireless work for our community and I look forward to working closely with it to ensure this landmark new hospital is a success.”