Name chosen for community hospital in Selby

NHS North Yorkshire and York announced that the name chosen was the New Selby War Memorial Hospital. This name attracted 1,713 votes compared to 116 for the alternative choice of Selby Community Hospital.

The primary care trust opted to hold the public referendum after it became embroiled in a local row over the name of the 24-bed hospital, which will replace an older facility named the Selby War Memorial Hospital.

Jayne Brown, chief executive of NHS North Yorkshire and York, said: “We were so moved by the depth of feeling in Selby that we wanted to give people a chance to have their say.

“We are very much aware of the importance of the war memorial legacy in the hospital’s history, and we will soon be publishing details of how we plan to preserve and recognise this in addition to the new name.”

The new hospital in Selby is part of the Selby Community Project – an innovative partnership between NHS North Yorkshire and York and Selby District Council.

The two organisations have been working together on the scheme which will see a new £22m community hospital and civic centre built on Doncaster Road in the town.

The new hospital will become operational in June 2011 and Selby District Council staff will relocate to the adjoined Civic Centre in August 2011.