PLANS for the biggest development at York District Hospital since its opening over 20 years ago - bringing massive benefits for patients - have received a major boost.

Health chiefs have learned that the cash is available to fund the long-awaited £16 million scheme to revamp the hospital's first floor, and create a new ophthalmology and diabetes department.

No final decision has yet been made by regional NHS chiefs, but bosses at the district hospital are "cautiously optimistic" that they will have gained final approval before Easter.

The new ophthalmology facility would slash waiting times for cataract patients, an issue highlighted in the Evening Press Fight for Sight campaign.

The project would lead to an integrated approach to eye clinics, with waiting times for cataract operations cut from 17 to six months.

And a temporary diabetes centre would be replaced with a permanent one under the scheme, which would also involve a major revamp of the hospital's day unit and the surgical floor.

Trust deputy chief executive George Wood stressed that it still had to iron out certain parts of its business case for the scheme.

But he added: "It's very good news, and we are cautiously optimistic that we can now move forward to final approval.

"We hope to obtain that before Easter."

He added: "The very important step is to ensure that the money is in the capital programme, and what we have now got to do is clear these final issues. That's our responsibility, and we are busy with that now." Mr Wood said the scheme provided the opportunity to create a "state of the art" ophthalmology facility, and he was delighted the trust should be able to fulfil its promise to establish a permanent diabetes facility. "The whole development is extremely important to the hospital, and extremely important for the patients.

"I think it's the largest single investment in York District Hospital since it was opened in 1976," he said.

For many months hospital chiefs have been anxiously awaiting the verdict on their scheme, which is crucial to ease serious capacity problems.

While the final decision has not been taken, the fact that the necessary cash is available in the NHS regional capital programme means a major hurdle has been crossed.

andrew.hitchon@ycp.co.uk

Updated: 12:52 Saturday, March 24, 2001