Empty site in Yorkshire marketed to raise funds for reinvestment in the NHS

An empty former hospital in Yorkshire is being marketed for sale to generate funds for reinvestment in the NHS.

The former Lambert Memorial Hospital in Chapel Street, Thirsk, has been vacant since the final clinical services moved out in June 2017.

It was originally declared surplus to NHS requirements by NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group in November 2016 following a public consultation process on the future of community based care in Hambleton.

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Initial work to progress the sale of the building of the site by owners NHS Property Services was stopped while the possibility of using it for GP premises was explored. The CCG successfully secured funding from NHS England to undertake a feasibility study but no feasible use was found and it was re-confirmed as being surplus to NHS requirements by the CCG on 30 August 2017. NHS England has also confirmed it is surplus to NHS requirements.

Hanna Hardy, senior transaction manager at NHS Property Services, said: “Now that the property has been declared surplus to the needs of the NHS by healthcare commissioners, our remit is to secure best value for it on behalf of the NHS.

“Disposing of surplus land and buildings reduces operational running costs and generates capital receipts for reinvestment in the NHS.”

In the first instance, the property was listed on the Government’s Register of Surplus Public Sector Land to give other public bodies the opportunity to acquire it at market value, but no enquiries were received.

Marketing began in October to secure a purchaser for the freehold of the 971 square-metre building and Dacres Commercial has been appointed to handle the sale, with all proceeds being reinvested in the NHS estate.

The property comprises the main two-storey building fronting Chapel Street and a single-storey building to the rear.