A NEW era in health care was launched today as plans to replace York Hospital were announced.

It is a bold vision, and one to be applauded. Both medical technology and York have moved on immeasurably since the District Hospital opened its doors in 1976, and these changes are only accelerating.

From the start, it was recognised that the hospital offered little room for expansion. That was when it catered for 25,000 admissions a year. Today it is coping with more than 60,000 annual admissions, and the hospital has nowhere left to grow.

To provide the best medical service for York people in the 21st century, we need a fresh start on a fresh site.

Only five years ago, this idea was ruled out. The cost would be too high and would divert funds from direct patient care, health bosses decided.

Time has moved on. Two years ago work began on a £19 million transformation of York Hospital. Money is being invested in direct patient care.

But health chiefs recognise that the building will not last forever. They have got the balance exactly right: investing for today, planning for tomorrow.

So the search begins for a site. Finding the right spot will not be easy. The new hospital will require not only space for 2020's medical requirements, but enough room to expand over the subsequent decades, if it is to avoid the problems which have haunted Wigginton Road.

It must be accessible and, most residents would surely insist, provide ample parking.

With the development of York continuing apace, the land must be earmarked relatively quickly. No doubt health and council bosses are already considering both inner city plots such as York Central and remaining spaces close to the ring road.

Updated: 10:19 Wednesday, March 31, 2004