WORK on redeveloping Whitby Hospital is likely to start on site this autumn.

NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)'s executive team has now given approval to progress with the next stage of remodelling the hospital.

The health body temporarily halted the project during 2016 when national policy changed to introduce market rents on NHS properties. Now it has released a revised time frame for the project.

The CCG expects to find a construction partner during February and have floor plans in place by the end of March. It is thought work could start on the site in autumn this year.

Dr George Campbell, CCG GP governing body member said: “After a very busy and on occasion, challenging year, the project group responsible for the remodelling of Whitby Hospital is really pleased to share these revised milestones.

“At this stage, the project group had hoped to be in a position to share designs and further details of the remodelling of the hospital; however, during 2016 the team had to schedule an unplanned break after a national policy change to introduce market rents.

“This change meant that the costs of the project needed to be reassessed and given the current NHS financial challenge, the CCG had to ensure that the preferred option for the project was still affordable.”

The project team intends to share further details with designs and a revised hospital opening date over the next couple of months. In the meantime, members of the public can email; whitbyf4f@nhs.net or write to the CCG at the Civic Centre, at Stone Cross in Northallerton.