A MAJOR £15 million scheme to transform critical care facilities and provide extra ward space at Airedale Hospital has won recognition in a prestigious awards scheme.

The AGH Solutions venture was victorious in the Project of the Year category at the Health Estates and Facilities Management Association Awards.

As part of the state-of-the-art development at the Steeton site, a 15-bed high dependency unit and 30-bed general acute ward are being provided.

The new facilities are due to open this summer.

In a groundbreaking move, all heating and hot water in the inpatient building will be provided from electric sources.

And all electricity supplied to Airedale NHS Foundation Trust is from renewable sources, creating a low carbon footprint ­– which is enhanced by three air-source heat pumps and 80 solar electricity panels on the roof.

David Moss – managing director of AGH Solutions, the trust's estates and facilities subsidiary – said: "At every step of the way during the project, the team has considered and identified solutions to maintain infection prevention, optimum flow and the best possible patient experience – taking a 'whole hospital' approach to planning and delivering its work for the benefit of patient care.

"In under a year, the team has made some incredible progress and displayed excellent leadership.

"For the modular build we were given less than ten months to procure, design and build a 3,500-square-metre new intensive care unit and ward. To turn around a building in such a short space of time has been an amazing achievement.

"It will make a real difference to both our patients and our staff.

"This is a pioneering project with excellent sustainability credentials. Alongside managing this project, the team also manages the significant remedial works needed in the older parts of the hospital which are built of reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete panels."

Estates project manager, Richard Burgin, said he was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the team.

He added: "I am very proud of how much we have been able to achieve with a team that has only been together a year.

"The scale of the works we have undertaken is significant to say the least and everyone involved has really risen to the challenge."

When the new intensive care unit opens, its current home will provide a second decant – or temporary – ward to be used whilst other wards in the hospital are upgraded.