A DRAFT consultation document over the future of Ilkley's Coronation Hospital is being made available to Ilkley people.

As consultation meetings began this week over the content of the document - which gives three options for the hospital's future - hospital owner Airedale Primary Care Trust began to distribute the document to pick-up points in the area.

Airedale PCT wants to hear people's views on the content of the draft consultation document, which cites moving to a new building, closing the hospital

and sending most services to the Airedale Hospital, or leaving the hospital as it is, as the three main

choices.

The PCT has this week brought out a questionnaire asking if residents would back one of three plans mooted for the hospital's future, if they have any concerns about the preferred option, or want to propose an alternative option.

The questionnaire is to be returned by July 31.

The PCT planned to make the finalised consultation document available on August 1, but have now put the date back to August 15.

The meetings could give Ilkley, Addingham and Burley-in-Wharfedale people the chance to contribute further additions to the consultation options.

The first meeting took place at the Memorial Hall, Main Street, Addingham, on Tuesday. There will be similar meetings at the Queen's Hall, Main Street, Burley-in-Wharfedale, tonight from 7.30pm to 9pm, and another at the Clarke Foley Centre, Cunliffe Road, Ilkley, on Wednesday, July 30, from 10.30am to noon and at the King's Hall and Winter Garden, Station Road, from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Tuesday, July 29.

The formal consultation, based on the finalised version of the consultation document, will begin next month, and run until October 31. The PCT has promised to organise a series of public consultation meetings in the Ilkley area during this period. Times and venues of these meetings are to be posted in local GP surgeries, at the Coronation Hospital itself, and in public libraries.

Copies of the draft consultation document are available from Springs Medical Centre, Springs Lane, Ilkley, Grange Park Surgery, Grange Road, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Coronation Hospital, Springs Road, Ilkley, Christchurch, The Grove, Ilkley, Clarke Foley Centre, Cunliffe Road, Ilkley, Moor Court Resource Centre, Ben Rhydding and Ilkley Library on Station Road, Ilkley.

They are also available by calling Anthony Jones on (01535) 672635.

Some have already gleaned the

document for more information on the three options picked out by health

chiefs for the hospital's future - in particular the details of a move to a new building.

Ilkley resident David Guild, of Parklands, said: "The central question is whether the service provision envisaged can be accommodated in a 190 square metre building, and provide satisfactory levels of modern day health care."

Parish councillor Mike Gibbons, who has led the campaign to save the hospital, agreed that more information on the current options is needed before consultation begins.

Coun Gibbons had also criticised the lack of an evening meeting in Ilkley, but welcomed the announcement that an extra meeting has been added.

"I welcome the news that the PCT are looking into an evening meeting, prior to the consultation, as after all, this is the area most affected. It's simply not acceptable for the people of Ilkley to be given similar consultation to those in Addingham and Burley," said Coun Gibbons.

l The petition to retain the hospital and its services - which now has around 11,000 signatures - is to be kept open for more residents to sign throughout the consultation period. Copies of the petition can be signed at Ilkley Town Hall, and the Ilkley Gazette office, 8 Wells Road.

Comments on the draft consultation document can be made in writing to Kevin Ellis, chief executive, Ilkley Coronation Hospital Consultation, Airedale Primary Trust, 21a Mornington Street, Keighley, BD21 2EA.