Plans for new building at Calderdale Royal Hospital approved in 'major step forward'
It includes eight new wards and a new emergency department
Last updated 23rd Oct 2025
A major shake-up of Huddersfield and Calderdale’s health services has taken the next steps as planning permission is secured for a new hospital building.
The facility will be brought to Calderdale Royal Hospital, and will include eight wards and a new emergency department with separate areas for adults and children. The design is said to honour Halifax’s heritage, using specially selected materials and colours, and will provide a link to the existing hospital.
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary already has a new A&E as part of the reconfiguration scheme, with this opening back in May 2024.
Chief Executive, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT), Rob Aitchison, said: “This is a significant moment for our hospital Trust, our patients and our colleagues, and marks an important part of our journey to deliver care closer to home in the community, supported by sustainable and innovative healthcare in our two hospitals.
“This investment will improve the experience of patients using our services, and colleagues, who will have access to state of the art, purpose-built facilities which are fit for the future.”
The Trust appointed Laing O’Rourke to take forward the design and planning for the new building in 2024. Construction is expected to be completed by 2029.
Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Transformation and Partnerships, CHFT, Anna Basford, said: “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the design of our new clinical building. We have heard from members of the public, our patients, and colleagues about what they would like to see, and used this feedback in our design plans.
“It’s an exciting time ahead in our Foundations for our Future programme. We hope to start the build in summer 2026, subject to final approval of our business case from the Department of Health and Social Care.”
The Foundations for Our Future programme is a long-term plan to transform hospital and community services in Calderdale and Huddersfield. Also making up part of this is the building of a multi-storey car park being at Calderdale. In addition, the first phase of a Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC) opened in the University of Huddersfield’s Daphne Steele Building this summer, with the new CDC to open in the Emily Siddon building in January.