Local people are being asked to share their experiences of physiotherapy services at Shipley Hospital and what’s important to them when services are moved to a new location. The online survey starts today and runs until 9 January and marks the first step to restart the review of the future of the 100 year old building.
The review began in 2019, but was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Bradford District and Craven Healthcare Partnership, on behalf of the NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board, are now restarting the review to prepare for a public consultation in February next year that will consider the new location for community physiotherapy services currently provided at the hospital.
A technical appraisal completed earlier this year by NHS Property Services concluded that the costs for refurbishing Shipley Hospital would not represent value for money for the health service and did not provide a viable and sustainable option. This was based on the state of the building and the level of investment needed to bring it up to the standard required. Therefore, services currently provided at the building will have to be relocated.
As part of the review process, NHS Property Services will also need to consider the future of the building. The survey is asking local people if they have any information about a covenant on the hospital, placed there as a condition of its donation by Norman Rae. An extensive search of historical records carried out locally has not been able to trace such a covenant.
Nancy O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer for Bradford District and Craven Healthcare Partnership said, “We’re restarting the review of Shipley Hospital and recognise that it has been at the heart of the community for over 100 years, with many families having a personal connection to the building. Sadly, the age and structure of the building means that it’s not possible to improve the standard to that of a modern, purpose-built, health facility.
Patient experience and public opinion are at the heart of the review and the survey will give us a strong starting point.
I would encourage everyone, whether they have used physiotherapy services or not, to complete our survey. This is your chance to not only tell us about your experience, but also what is important to you when considering moving services to a new location”
The results from the survey will then be considered by the NHS as part of developing proposals for the future location for community physiotherapy services and inform the public consultation process. There is also an opportunity to register interest for joining a ‘citizen’s panel’ that will evaluate the criteria for determining the future location of physiotherapy services.
Visit https://engagebdc.com/shipley-hospital to take part in the survey and register your interest.
You can also request printed copies of the survey by calling or texting 0777 999 6759. Please also use this number to contact us if you need any support to complete the survey or would like information in alternative languages or formats.