The first patients were today being admitted to a new £1.8 million community hospital in the heart of north Bradford.

The mainly elderly people will benefit from nursing care closer to home, as they recuperate from acute illnesses and operations.

Built on the site of the former Eccleshill Upper School, in Harrogate Road, the hospital also has an out-patients department, where patients can be treated by specialist GPs, preventing many of them being admitted to hospital, and cutting waiting times for people needing in-patient surgery.

The new service is managed by North Bradford Primary Care Trust (PCT), and the opening was welcomed by Susan Ince, director of provider services.

"We are providing local services for local people, making them as accessible as possible, especially for the people of Ravenscliffe and Eccleshill," she said.

"The advantage is the hospital is focused on rehabilitation and the building is designed to promote patient independence.

"They could be recovering from fractures caused by falls, hip replacements, chest infections or any acute episode.

"Before the community hospital they could have stayed longer in an acute bed or would have gone to another community hospital further away.

"By coming here it will be easier for their relatives to visit which is very important, it stops patients feeling isolated."

As well as two four-bed wards, there are ten single rooms with en-suite facilities and also a relatives room where visitors can stay.

The first out-patients clinics are specialising in musculo-skeletal conditions - problems with joints and muscles. Other clinics to be introduced are ear, nose and throat, and cardiology, where patients will be able to have heart tests without going to hospital.

The site will also be used as a centre for GPs to learn more about dermatology, the treatment of skin conditions.

Pam Greenwood, patient services manager, said: "The out-patient department will act as a buffer between the GP and the consultant surgeon.

"We will dramatically lessen referrals to hospital for surgery."

Norman Roper, chairman of North Bradford Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "It is a wonderful place and I am very impressed.

"It is so important to improve facilities in this area. Now people can see where Government money is going."

The site is owned by the Newlands Partnership, which used the Government's Single Regeneration Budget cash to buy it and lease it to the PCT.

Jim Smith, chief executive of the Newlands Partnership, said: "We are delighted Newlands residents will benefit from this hospital.

"We have been pleased to work with the PCT and the revenue that will occur will be available for regenerating the community."

A new doctors' surgery and independent sector treatment centre are also being built on the site.