PLANNERS are being urged to give their backing to a multi-million pound expan-sion of York District Hospital.

The project to build a new ophthalmology, diabetes and medical illustration building goes before councillors on Thursday, July 5, having received the backing of council officers.

In April, the £16 million expansion scheme, also including a full revamp of the first floor of the hospital, got the thumbs-up from the National Health Service.

This signalled victory for the Evening Press Fight For Sight campaign which highlighted the long waiting times for some elderly patients.

The major new building at the rear of the hospital entrance area and the first floor revamp will mean major benefits for patients.

These include cuts in waiting times for cataract operations, an improved critical care unit, better surgical wards and improvements to the day surgery and treatment unit.

Should councillors give planning permission for the new building, work is expected to begin in the autumn.

Updated: 08:56 Monday, July 02, 2001