£32m Spinal Hub Approved at Chapel Allerton, Leeds 2026

Key Points

• NHS England has approved a £32 million Elective Care Hub at Chapel Allerton Hospital in Leeds, specialising in spinal and orthopaedic operations.​
• The facility will include a 23-bed ward, two operating theatres, and an admissions area as an extension to the existing theatres suite.​
• The hub is expected to enable more than 1,600 additional elective operations per year, helping to reduce patient waiting lists.​
• Funding comes from NHS England and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System, covering the recruitment of 142 additional staff members.​
• Construction is set to begin in early 2026, with the facility planned to open by November 2027.​
• The hub provides protected space for planned surgeries, separate from emergency pressures at main sites like Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital, allowing year-round operations.
• Craige Richardson, Director of Estates & Facilities at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) and senior responsible officer for the project, described it as “fantastic news for patients in Leeds and from across the region as well as our colleagues working at the hospital.”​
• Craige Richardson further stated: “The purpose-built elective care hub increases protected space and theatres to see planned inpatients, enhancing their experience and meaning we can see more people more quickly. Thank you to the teams who have worked hard to get us to this point. This project exemplifies our commitment to modernising our healthcare infrastructure to meet future demands, bringing clear benefits for the people we provide care for.”
• Health Minister Karin Smyth said: “This £32 million investment will help thousands more people get the treatment they need sooner. Dedicated elective hubs like this are crucial to cutting waiting times, by allowing surgery to go ahead all year round without disruption from emergency pressures. This project is a clear example of how we are modernising the NHS, investing in the frontline and backing local systems to deliver real improvements for patients.”
• The project will involve the temporary relocation of the Clinical Genetics service during construction.​
• To comply with biodiversity net gain requirements, approximately 20 new trees will be planted on the Chapel Allerton site, and over 200 trees in a local Yorkshire environment bank, despite some existing trees being removed.​
• Chapel Allerton Hospital already serves as a major site for elective orthopaedic and spinal care within LTHT’s services.​

Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 21, 2026 – NHS England has granted approval for a £32 million Elective Care Hub at Chapel Allerton Hospital, specialising in spinal and orthopaedic procedures, as announced by Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT). The facility promises to boost annual elective operations by over 1,600, easing long-standing waiting lists for patients across the region.​

What is the New Care Hub at Chapel Allerton Hospital?

The hub represents a strategic expansion at Chapel Allerton Hospital, focusing on elective spinal and orthopaedic surgeries. According to the official LTHT announcement, it will feature a dedicated 23-bed ward, two new operating theatres, and an admissions area integrated into the existing theatres suite. This design ensures protected capacity, shielding planned procedures from disruptions common at busier acute sites such as Leeds General Infirmary and St James’s Hospital.

As detailed in LTHT’s news release, the separation allows for reliable, year-round scheduling of non-urgent operations, addressing key patient concerns like last-minute cancellations. The Leeds Star reported that this “protected elective capacity” is central to streamlining patient pathways from assessment to post-operative care.

How Will the £32m Hub Reduce Waiting Times?

By increasing LTHT’s elective operating capacity by more than 1,600 cases annually, the hub directly targets NHS backlogs exacerbated by emergency demands. A spokesperson for LTHT highlighted that this expansion will reduce waiting lists for patients needing spinal and orthopaedic interventions.​

Health Minister Karin Smyth emphasised the broader impact, stating as reported on the LTHT site and Leeds Star:

“Dedicated elective hubs like this are crucial to cutting waiting times, by allowing surgery to go ahead all year round without disruption from emergency pressures.”

This model aligns with national efforts to modernise elective services, ensuring surgeries proceed even during peak emergency periods.

Who is Funding the Project and What Does it Cover?

The £32 million investment is jointly provided by NHS England and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care System. Beyond construction, the funding supports the hiring of 142 additional staff members to operate the hub effectively.​

Craige Richardson, LTHT’s Director of Estates & Facilities, noted in the Trust’s announcement:

“This project exemplifies our commitment to modernising our healthcare infrastructure to meet future demands, bringing clear benefits for the people we provide care for.”

This comprehensive backing underscores a holistic approach to enhancing regional healthcare delivery.​

What Do Key Figures Say About the Approval?

Craige Richardson, as senior responsible officer, expressed enthusiasm in LTHT’s press release:

“This is fantastic news for patients in Leeds and from across the region as well as our colleagues working at the hospital. The purpose-built elective care hub increases protected space and theatres to see planned inpatients, enhancing their experience and meaning we can see more people more quickly.”

Health Minister Karin Smyth added, according to the same LTHT update and echoed by Leeds Star:

“This £32 million investment will help thousands more people get the treatment they need sooner… This project is a clear example of how we are modernising the NHS, investing in the frontline and backing local systems to deliver real improvements for patients.”

When Will Construction Start and the Hub Open?

Construction is anticipated to commence in early 2026, with the facility slated for opening in November 2027. This timeline allows for meticulous planning and minimises disruption to ongoing services at Chapel Allerton Hospital.​

During works, the Clinical Genetics service will relocate temporarily, a point acknowledged by LTHT to thank affected teams for their cooperation. Patient access to existing orthopaedic and spinal care at the site, which already handles chronic and elective cases, will continue uninterrupted.

What are the Environmental Impacts of the Build?

The project requires the removal of some trees on site, but LTHT commits to environmental mitigation. Approximately 20 new trees will be planted at Chapel Allerton, while over 200 will be added to a local Yorkshire environment bank to meet biodiversity net gain requirements.​

This approach demonstrates adherence to sustainability standards amid infrastructure development, balancing healthcare expansion with ecological responsibility.

Why Focus on Spinal and Orthopaedic Specialties?

Chapel Allerton Hospital is an established hub for LTHT’s elective orthopaedic and spinal services, complementing acute care at other sites. The new facility builds on this, targeting procedures like spinal decompression, fusions, and orthopaedic reconstructions that often face delays.

Leeds Star coverage noted the hub’s role in reducing pain and mobility issues for patients reliant on timely interventions. By dedicating resources, LTHT aims to improve outcomes in these high-demand areas, where waiting lists have strained the system.​

How Does This Fit into Broader NHS Elective Hub Strategy?

Dedicated elective hubs form a cornerstone of NHS recovery plans post-pandemic, as evidenced by similar projects like the Vanguard theatre at Wharfedale Hospital. Minister Smyth’s comments position the Chapel Allerton hub as exemplary:

“backing local systems to deliver real improvements for patients.”

LTHT’s initiative aligns with national priorities, enhancing reliability and efficiency in planned care nationwide. For Leeds patients, it promises tangible relief from prolonged waits, bolstering regional health resilience.​

What Challenges Might the Project Face?

While approvals are secured, construction in early 2026 could encounter logistical hurdles, including staff recruitment amid NHS-wide shortages. Temporary service relocations, such as Clinical Genetics, require coordination to avoid impacting care quality.​

Nevertheless, LTHT’s track record, including recent efficiencies like the Carps Web Logger system under Craige Richardson’s oversight, suggests robust project management. Ongoing updates will be crucial as timelines approach.​

This development marks a pivotal step for Leeds healthcare, directly addressing patient backlogs through targeted investment and innovation. With strong endorsements from LTHT leadership and government, the hub stands to transform access to essential surgeries for thousands.