A specialist design team has been appointed to deliver the vision for a new, £1bn-plus Airedale General Hospital as part of the government’s New Hospital Programme.

P+HS Architects has been appointed as the lead consultant, in partnership with AHR Architects and in collaboration with Hospital 2.0 originators HDR.

The project team is supported by engineering partners Curtins and AECOM. Gleeds (project manager) and Archus are providing additional healthcare expertise to develop the project.

The hospital in Keighley, West Yorkshire, is moving forward with development under Wave 1 of the New Hospital Programme. The government confirmed in Janurary all projects in the New Hospital Programme will be built – but it will take a decade or more longer.

The proposed development will replace the existing RAAC hospital, maximising the use of cleaner, greener materials, digital technologies and modern methods of construction.

AECOM will lead the drive for developing efficient building operation by designing efficient engineering services, implementing digital solutions that optimise efficient building operation and ensuring suitable thermal comfort and access to daylight to maximize staff and patient wellbeing.

Curtins is providing structural engineering and highways design and will work alongside AECOM's M&E and digital specialists to ensure the hospital utilises the latest Hospital 2.0 principles, realising carbon, energy and engineering performance optimisation.

Alastair Stewart, programme director for the securing the future programme at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are delighted to have made this key appointment for our programme, which will allow us to start work on designing a new hospital for Airedale.

“The team will be supporting us to use the latest design and technology approaches and to deliver the Hospital 2.0 model in a way that best meets the needs of the population we serve.

“Working with our patients, staff and local communities will also be vital to ensure we make the most of this one in a lifetime opportunity to develop high quality, sustainable healthcare facilities for Airedale.”

Phil Bentley, director at P+HS, added: “We are honoured to lead the design team on this ambitious project.

“Our extensive experience in healthcare design and knowledge of the Airedale Hospital estate, combined with the expertise of our design team partners means we are well-placed to support Airedale Hospital create a forward-thinking, sustainable facility that meets the highest standards for patients and staff.