Designs for two new Leeds hospitals will bring ‘something of the Dales into the city centre’
Designs have been released for two new state-of-the-art hospitals billed as “one of the most significant healthcare projects in the UK”.
The new adult and children’s hospitals to be built in the middle of Leeds are being developed as part of the Government’s £3.7 billion commitment to build 40 hospitals in England by 2030.
The designs unveiled on Wednesday are inspired by the Yorkshire landscape, and the architects said they will bring a touch of the Yorkshire Dales to the centre of Leeds.
The hospitals will be built on the site of the current Leeds General Infirmary, with parts of the current structure being retained, including the restoration of listed parts of the hospital.
A spokesman for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) said: “The development of a new adults’ hospital, along with a new home for Leeds Children’s Hospital, is set to be one of the most significant healthcare projects in the UK.”
Architects BDP have proposed a development shaped like the contours of the Yorkshire fells and dales, with a large island garden and play deck at its centre.
It will give Leeds Children’s Hospital (LCH) a dedicated building which will bring all clinical services for children and young people under one roof.
And the adult hospital will include a 24-bed extension to the critical care unit as well as a new Maternity Centre, which will bring all inpatient maternity services and neo-natal services together on one site.
The trust said a new diagnostic imaging department is expected to be at the heart of the hospital.
LTHT chief executive Julian Hartley said: “The building of our two new hospitals is the most important development in Leeds city centre for a generation. And, in terms of hospital-based healthcare, it’s the most important development in the city centre since 1868, when Leeds General Infirmary was first built.
“It’s wonderful to see that BDP has listened to the feedback we’ve given them and have come up with these concept designs that are thoroughly patient-focused, and which place patient and staff wellbeing at the heart of our new hospitals.
“These concept designs give extensive access to daylight and greenery, and, not only do they maximise wellness, but they also bring something of the Dales into the city centre.
“These inspirational designs will see not only the creation of world-class medical and research facilities, but also the creation of a landmark public building, of real architectural quality, of which Leeds can truly be proud.”
The trust is hoping construction of the hospitals will begin in 2023 and said it will further engage with hospital users in the next year or so before the detailed design is finalised.
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