MAJOR plans to change Leeds health services have suffered a setback.

The £200 million scheme, which will see the transformation of Leeds General Infirmary and St James's hospitals, will now be reconsidered by health chiefs.

Announced more than a year ago, the reconfiguration of services also includes the building of a new Wharfedale hospital and the

closure of Cookridge Hospital.

And although plans for a new hospital at Otley are still forging ahead separately with an outline business case (OBC) now being considered by the regional health executive at Durham, the overall plan has been put back three months.

Leeds Health Authority says it is disappointed by the setback but accepts there are good reasons. The estimated cost of the changes was originally put at £137 million, but now it has been put at more than £200 million. Rising costs and a shift in government policy has been blamed on the delay of the submission of the OBC to the regional health executive - originally set for December.

But although the trust says it has been forced to review its plans, it says the start date of 2002 should not be affected.

David Johnson, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust chief executive, said before it could submit the OBC to the regional office it had to be sure the proposals were offering best value for money while also providing the best

possible healthcare facilities for people in Leeds.

"Because of this, we are carrying out a

thorough review of every aspect of our plans but still aim to submit the outline business case in March.

"The overall costs of the development plans have increased largely to reflect the government's investment priorities and the NHS plan. These will be finalised for the OBC

submission."

The plan, which is scheduled to take place between 2002 and 2006 will include:

l The closure of Cookridge Hospital and the opening of a new cancer centre at St James's Hospital.

l A new £19 million children's hospital at the LGI.

l The transferral of trauma services from St James's to LGI.

l Reconfiguring acute medical services at Seacroft and St James's hospitals.

l A new Wharfedale hospital and the closure of Cookridge Hospital.