Hundreds of people have shared their views on plans for a new hospital in West Yorkshire, with a consultation deadline looming.
The development at Airedale General Hospital, near Keighley, would be 10 storeys high and cost up to £1.5bn, with trust leaders calling it a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to transform healthcare.
More than 1,200 people have completed a survey sharing their thoughts on the proposals, with the window for feedback shutting on Friday.
Speaking at a community roadshow in Skipton, Helen Wallbank, 73, said: “I just hope it starts on time, while I am still around to get the facilities.”
The first outline plans for the new hospital were shared in early June.
According to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, its catchment area stretches “as far as the Yorkshire Dales and the National Park in North Yorkshire, reaching areas of North Bradford and Guiseley in West Yorkshire and extending into Colne and Pendle in the East of Lancashire”.
Caroline Smith, 72, attended the roadshow at Skipton Morrisons on Monday to learn more about the plans and said she was glad to have had the chance to ask questions.
Discussing a lack of focus on building accessibility for those with mobility requirements, she said: “Why do they not get a focus group together at the very early stages of design and listen?
“The whole thing about the minor detail or minute detail, it is not minor to me.”