Trust hits back in Northallerton hospital site row (From York Press)

Trust hits back in Northallerton hospital site row

8:45am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in News

HEALTH bosses in North Yorkshire have hit back in a row over the future of a historic hospital site.

NHS North Yorkshire and York has been criticised for launching a bid to sell the Rutson Hospital site in Northallerton, with voluntary groups and local councillors saying it should be developed for community use.

Adrian Snarr, the trust’s director of finance, dismissed claims the hospital, which closed in 2008, is the property of Northallerton “in perpetuity” as stated in deeds from 1906, saying the sale was in line with powers which allow the NHS to dispose of surplus properties and use the proceeds from their sale as they see fit.

“It is important to clarify that the Rutson is an asset of NHS North Yorkshire and York and there are no restrictive covenants over the use of funds resulting from its sale,” he said.