Patients across Leeds and the wider region are set to benefit from increased surgical capacity and enhanced inpatient facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust as work continues on a major £32 million investment at Chapel Allerton Hospital.
This very significant three-storey Elective Care Hub scheme comprises a 23-bed ward, two operating theatres and an admissions area as an extension to the existing theatres suite. The project will also create a new inpatient ward through the refurbishment of existing areas within the hospital. When open, it will increase the Trust’s elective operating capacity by more than 1,600 cases per year.
Having a dedicated elective care hub away from busier main hospital sites such as Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s means there is capacity which can confidently be used all-year-round.
The funding, which comes from NHS England and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System, will also cover an increase of 142 staff members for the hub. Patients are set to be welcomed in later 2027.
Craige Richardson, Director of Estates & Facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Senior Responsible Officer for the project, said: “It’s great to see work now well underway on this important investment at Chapel Allerton Hospital. By investing in additional theatre capacity and modern ward facilities, we’ll be able to treat more people and improve the overall experience of our patients.
“These improvements will also create better environments for our colleagues, supporting them to deliver the highest quality care and helping us meet growing demand for services in the years ahead.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in getting us to this point and look forward to seeing the benefits this investment will bring once building works are completed in 2027.”
The Trust has appointed Kier to deliver the scheme, drawing on the company’s extensive experience of constructing healthcare facilities across Yorkshire and the North East.
Sustainability has been a key consideration throughout the design process, with energy-efficient measures including smart energy monitoring, heat recovery systems and low-energy lighting, helping to reduce environmental impact.
Steve Lynn, regional director for Kier Construction North & Scotland, said: “Chapel Allerton Hospital plays a vital role in supporting patients across Leeds, and this investment will make a real difference to both patient care and staff experience. Modern theatre facilities and upgraded wards will increase capacity and create a more supportive environment for recovery.
“Alongside delivering high-quality healthcare facilities, we’re committed to working closely with the Trust to create lasting value locally – through skills and employment opportunities, engagement with schools and communities, and supporting regional supply chains.”