HEALTH chiefs are ready to push the button on a new £7 million community hospital for Selby.

The go-ahead is expected to be given next week after it was revealed that the existing Selby War Memorial Hospital is facing a massive maintenance backlog bill of £3 million.

Selby and York Primary Care Trust, which will make its decision at a Board meeting on Tuesday, say a modern flagship hospital is now the only viable option.

Board members told the Evening Press today that "patching up" the 74-year-old War Memorial Hospital would be "throwing good money after bad", with maintenance costs set to soar even higher.

The trust's chief executive, Dr Sue Ross, said: "There is a degree of urgency which is incontrovertible and we want to develop the new hospital on the existing site as soon as possible.

"We're concerned that if the maintenance costs are not met there could be problems in delivering treatments in a safe and effective way."

Board member Gill Cashmore, who is also co-ordinator of Selby Association of Voluntary Services, said: "This is a one-off chance for Selby and we have to grab it with both hands.

"The War Memorial staff are doing a tremendous job, but they're having to work in dire conditions and in ageing buildings that were not designed for their present use."

She said Health Secretary Alan Milburn, local MP John Grogan and Selby's GPs were all supportive of the project.

Mrs Cashmore said they planned to submit a detailed business plan by next July, with a view to work starting in 2004.

The new hospital would include a wider range of outpatient services, a day theatre and endoscopy suites, extra diagnostic facilities, more inpatients beds for rehabilitation and an expanded "walk-in" minor injuries department.

The blueprint also includes a modern reception area acting as a "one-stop shop", with drop-in services provided by social services and voluntary groups. Sheltered housing may also be built next to the hospital.

Planners are now looking at funding the new hospital with the help of both the public and private sectors.

Updated: 13:46 Friday, November 23, 2001