THE first images of the proposed replacement for Bootham Park Hospital have been revealed.

Members of City of York Council’s health, housing and adult social care policy and scrutiny committee were given a virtual tour of the new multi-million pound hospital in Haxby Road at a meeting on Monday.

Planning permission has been granted for the site, which will have 72 beds in four wards - single sex wards for men and women, and two older people's wards, one for dementia care and one for people with mental health problems, such as psychosis, severe depression or anxiety.

It is due to open in December 2019.

Representatives from York and Selby at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust appeared before the meeting to answer questions from councillors about the new facility, and demonstrate a virtual walk-through of the new hospital.

Elements of the facility were designed with current service users, with an aim to have natural light in every room and corridor, and seating around the reception area where visitors can meet patients for coffee.

While the plans are not yet finalised, there will be a mental health ‘place of safety’, which will not be accessible to the public, to help people who require emergency support.

Ruth Hill, director of operations for the trust, said residents “deserve to have access to the best possible mental health care and this includes having a state-of-the-art hospital”.

She said: “Service user and carer input into the design process has been essential in achieving a build plan that meets required compliance standards whilst maximising service user, carer and staff experience and supporting positive health outcomes.

“The commitment and enthusiasm of our service users and carers has been fantastic and this has influenced the design to achieve the best possible environment in which to receive care or for a carer to visit. We will continue to support this level of engagement throughout the programme. We also listened to residents, sharing the plans at a number of exchange events to give local people the opportunity to share their views and to be part of the development process.” The developers said further information and plans would be made public in coming months.