THE first in a series of drop-in sessions about the future of Castleberg Hospital in Giggleswick starts next week.

In November the governing body of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) launched a three-month consultation about community health services in Craven.

There are two options on which the consultation is based, with the first being to continue to provide inpatient care in the community and repair or restore Castleberg Hospital.

A second option would be to provide an enhanced range of care in people’s home or in an alternative community setting (determined by need), and close Castleberg Hospital.

A third option, to build a new facility, had been discussed but was discounted on the grounds of cost.

A series of drop in sessions will run as part of the consultation, with the first session taking place from 10am to noon on Monday in Bentham Town Hall.

The Victoria Hall in Settle will host three sessions. They will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, January 11, 8.30am to 11.30am on Friday, January 19, and from 2pm to 4pm on Monday, January 29.

Three other Craven sessions will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Friday, January 12, at the Devonshire Institute in Grassington, 10am to noon on Tuesday, February 6, at Skipton Town Hall and 6pm to 8pm on Thursday, February 22, in Gargrave Village Hall.

The CCG will then assess the two options against a range of criteria including people’s feedback, clinical views and each option’s fit with the CCG's strategic objectives and principles. A final decision is expected to be made in May 2018.

The consultation run until February 27, 2018, and for more information visit airedalewharfedalecravenccg.nhs.uk/community-care-services-for-people-living-in-craven-including-the-future-of-castleberg-hospital-2/