THE MP for Shipley has urged health chiefs to reject proposals to close Shipley hospital in a call for the site to be refurbished and kept open.

Philip Davies said the hospital was a well established part of the community and offered accessible outpatient care close to home.

The MP wrote to health chiefs across the district setting out his concerns and demanding answers on why the site cannot be refurbished.

He said: "People do not want to travel for treatment or appointments when they feel unwell. I understand work must be done to the site and of course the safety of patients and staff is the most important thing and work that needs to be done should be done.

"I have been told and it was also reported at the time when the proposed closure was announced, that it is costing health authorities large sums of money each year for the unused space and the other reason for the proposed closure was the ongoing suitability of the building."

The day the news broke of the proposed closure the MP also raised the matter with the Department of Health and Social Care and was told the decision would be taken locally.

A consultation on the hospital's future is expected to begin this month.