PLANS to expand the maternity unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary have been submitted to Bradford Council.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has drawn up proposals for a two storey expansion of the hospital’s current maternity facilities, the biggest in the city, which they say are needed to improve patient experience.

The plans include a 326 square metre building that will contain two new Obstetrics Theatres, theatre support facilities and recovery areas and space that will be left vacant, awaiting future expansion needs.

The existing maternity facilities will also be refurbished as part of the development, creating further recovery rooms, patient and staff facilities as well as a High Dependency delivery room.

There will also be landscaping works around the extension, and plant equipment on the building’s roof.

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If approved, the expansion will be built on an area currently used for staff parking, and will lead to the loss of nine parking spaces.

The application says: “The proposal has been conceived to answer the current needs of the Women and Children’s Unit at the Bradford Royal Infirmary’s Maternity by providing new and improved theatres and improving patient experience.

“The work will be carried out in phases with new build works prioritised to minimise disruption caused to the live unit.”

Referring to the building’s modern design, the application says: “We have thought of a design that picks specific colours of the existing palette on the building: beige/ochre with greys, while consciously dismissing the pervasive brick, so the design outstands from its gloomy background through highly contrasting and bright shades.

“Not quite an extension but a relaxing break.

“The design considers maximising natural lighting within the Theatres whilst remaining translucent for patient dignity and privacy and creating a feature corner on the South West facade.”

Bradford Council is expected to make a decision on the application early next month.