THE keys to the New Selby War Memorial Hospital have been handed over to the NHS ahead of patient arrival this week.

Staff from the hospital and the Selby Community Project were invited to tour the new building at a celebration this week.

Alan Rose, chairman of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We felt it was important to mark the opening for front line staff and those who’ve been heavily involved in the Selby Community Project.

“The event was a wonderful chance to say thank you for all the hard work of so many who have been integral to the success of this project. It was also a great opportunity for people such as staff, partners, the Friends of Selby War Memorial Hospital and members of the hospital Trust to have a look round and familiarise themselves with it before it opens for business.”

Mark Crane, Selby District Council leader, said: “This project has been delivered on time and on budget and just shows what can be achieved for our community. This brand new hospital will help to secure health services for years to come, and the council’s move to the site will mean we have to spend less on building maintenance, which is a better deal for taxpayers.”

It is hoped NHS services will be transferred to the site from this week.

Council staff will relocate to the new community centre in August, and residents can monitor the progress of the Selby Community Project via Selbycommunityproject.org.uk