Talks between Harrogate Borough Council, Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, GP commissioners and North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust about the possibility of extending health care services in Ripon by redevelopment of the Ripon Spa Pool site are currently underway.
Speaking on behalf of Harrogate Borough Council, Mick Walsh, Chief Executive, said:
"There is still a lot of work to be done but this does seem to be a good opportunity for all organisations.
We want to provide better swimming facilities and the foundation trust, GPs and the PCT want to look at how they can extend health care facilities."
It is hoped that the detailed discussions that now need to take place can be concluded within the next six months so that development plans can be integrated with the plans to provide a new pool.
However, Mr Walsh added that although this is the preferred option, the council will still need to carry on exploring other options including housing, leisure or community use.
"We have consistently said that whilst the Spa Baths Pool site does not have to be developed for housing it has always been a feasible option.
Providing a new swimming pool for Ripon, which will cost in excess of £3m, remains dependent on the realisation of a capital receipt from the disposal of the Spa Baths site whatever its future use may be."
Dr Albert Day, chairman of Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust commented: "We have been involved in recent constructive discussions with the council as to the future of the Ripon Spa Pool site and we are interested to continue this dialogue further."
Jane Marshall, North Yorkshire and York PCT's Director of Commissioning and Service Development added: "We are working alongside local GPs and the Hospital to see whether such a development could enhance care of patients locally.
We already have very good local services in Ripon, including a well-used community hospital, and any further development would have to support these existing services.
There are no guarantees and we would have to talk to local people about potential options, but the preliminary discussions have been constructive".
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