Patients in Leeds and across the wider region are set to benefit from expanded surgical capacity and improved inpatient facilities as work continues on a major £32 million development at Chapel Allerton Hospital.
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is progressing with a significant three-storey Elective Care Hub scheme, which will include a 23-bed ward, two operating theatres and a new admissions area linked to the hospital’s existing theatre suite. The investment will also see existing areas of the hospital refurbished to create a new inpatient ward. Once open, the development is expected to increase the Trust’s elective operating capacity by more than 1,600 cases a year, helping more patients access planned surgery.
A dedicated elective care hub at Chapel Allerton Hospital will provide year-round surgical capacity away from busier main hospital sites, including Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital. The scheme is being funded by NHS England and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System, with the investment also supporting the recruitment of 142 additional staff members to run the new hub. Patients are expected to be welcomed into the new facilities in late 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.”
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has appointed Kier to deliver the scheme, with the company bringing extensive experience in constructing healthcare facilities across Yorkshire and the North East. Sustainability has been central to the design of the development, with a range of energy-efficient measures included to help reduce its environmental impact. These include smart energy monitoring, heat recovery systems and low-energy lighting.
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.”
Run by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Chapel Allerton Hospital is one of the city’s best-known healthcare sites outside the main emergency hospital campuses. While Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s University Hospital are often associated with major emergency and acute care, Chapel Allerton Hospital has built its reputation around specialist treatment, rehabilitation, diagnostics and research.
The hospital provides a range of services for patients from Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region. Its departments include dermatology, physiotherapy, radiology, occupational therapy, podiatry, blood testing, pre-operative assessment and speech and language therapy. It is also recognised for its work in musculoskeletal research, an area covering conditions affecting bones, joints and muscles.
For many local people, Chapel Allerton Hospital is not simply a clinical site. It is a familiar part of the neighbourhood — a place associated with recovery, treatment, research and the daily work of NHS staff delivering care across the city.
