After many months of campaigning I was delighted that the former Lambert Hospital in Thirsk has finally and permanently been secured for community use. I worked closely with Hambleton Council Leader, Mark Robson, to ensure that it will continue to offer a mixture of health and community services, which is what Thirsk residents want. I am also grateful to the then Secretary of State, Jeremy Hunt MP, whose support I sought to ensure that NHS Property Services did not sell the site to the highest bidder for commercial use but, instead, have agreed to sell it to the council for the purposes that were intended when it was bequeathed to the people of Thirsk.
Hambleton District Council was given the go ahead to buy the Lambert Memorial Hospital almost three years after it closed its doors to patients. Councillors will now look to convert the buildings, initially undertaking widespread public consultation to gather local views kick started by a public meeting within the next month.
Councillor Mark Robson said that the wishes of the local people will be paramount. “We will now work with local people to see just what is wanted in the town – nothing is finalised although we do have some exciting ideas. We have been working closely over the last few months to retain this building for community use and the £350,000 cost is going to be money well spent. While nothing will happen overnight, getting the green light to buy the building is great news”.
