THE FIRST of four meetings which could help decide the fate of the Coronation Hospital went with a whimper, rather than a bang, in Addingham this week.

More members of Airedale Primary Care Trust (PCT) than concerned locals turned out for the event at the Memorial Hall on Tuesday evening

Among the officials present were Airedale NHS Trust Chief Executive Bob Allen and Airedale PCT Chief Executive Kevin Ellis.

The meeting was organised to allow villagers to have their say on the draft document which has been drawn up by the PCT to consider how best to 'modernise' health care in the Ilkley area.

As it stands, the PCT is considering three options - its favoured one being to close the Coronation Hospital and move its services into a purpose-built extension at the adjacent Springs Medical Centre.

The second choice is to close the Coronation and provide some of the services through Airedale Hospital while retaining others in Ilkley and the third is to keep the hospital as it is.

Head of Corporate Development, David Reilly insisted all three were real possibilities.

Jane Whiteside, of Adding-ham, asked Mr Reilly why more efficient and modern services couldn't be created in the existing hospital.

He replied: "We are looking at redesigning services and providing a new, purpose built health centre. But you're right, there's nothing stopping us having another option saying we will re-design the current service in the current building."

He added that would lead to increased costs, however, while the other two options would yield savings for the health Trust - which is facing an estimated £1.9 million overspend this year.

Another Addingham residentcomplained at the meeting's lack of publicity to which Mr Reilly acknowledged that posters could have been put up around the village - and would be for future events.

Several people meanwhile, expressed concern about travel to Airedale Hospital if the second option was pursued.

Mr Allen replied that public transport may be arranged from Ilkley and other places.

A further three meetings are being held before the official consultation period begins on August 1.