Work continues on the £32m hospital expansion changing planned surgery in Leeds next year

Work is gathering pace on a £32m expansion of Chapel Allerton Hospital to help thousands more patients across Leeds and West Yorkshire access planned surgery each year.

The expansion of the site is set to boost operating capacity and create new modern inpatient facilities.

The three-storey Elective Care Hub scheme includes a 23-bed ward, two operating theatres and an admissions area as an extension to the existing theatres suite.

When open next year, the Trust claims it will increase elective operating capacity by more than 1,600 cases per year.

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.

Craige Richardson, director of estates and 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.

Steve Lynn, regional director for Kier Construction North and 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.”