HEALTH chiefs in Selby today defended delays to the redevelopment of the town's hospital, and denied claims the project was being scaled down.

A report to the Selby and York Primary Care Trust's board meeting last week called for a review of the plans for Selby War Memorial Hospital, which means the work will be put back.

The report also stated the new hospital will have 40 beds - 20 fewer than originally planned.

But PCT officials today said 40 beds had been the plan for three years, and the latest delay was merely to ensure the redevelopment was in line with new Government policy, and the PCT's budget.

A PCT spokesman said: "The decision to change the proposed bed numbers at the hospital site is not new. It was taken as part of the evolution of the initial outline business case, in line with national guidance on ways of delivering care to meet the needs of patients.

"The PCT decided that an addendum to the initial business plan was needed, to ensure that the new hospital incorporates national thinking on care."

The spokesman said the decision to go for 40 instead of 60 beds had been made in 2003, with a view to increasing the care given away from hospitals.

The £23.6 million construction project was originally to have started in March 2005, but has been hit by earlier delays. Amended plans will be submitted to the PCT board in July.

The board spearheading the development has been asked to ensure it is affordable, provides services fit for the 21st century, and meets the requirements of the Government's forthcoming Care Outside Hospitals white paper.

Kay McSherry, a member of Selby District Council, said the reduced number of beds would be offset by improved community care.

Coun McSherry, who visited the hospital with the council's overview and scrutiny committee, said: "I do not honestly feel that the people of Selby district are going to suffer."

John McCartney, chairman of the overview and scrutiny committee, said: "If they are introducing a lot of support in the home, and giving the care without people having to go to hospital, then fine. If it's cutting, for cutting's sake, then we are concerned."

Updated: 11:22 Monday, January 23, 2006