A MULTI-MILLION pound investment in energy efficiency at Harrogate District Hospital will mean more money for patient care, officials say.

Works have been ongoing over the past few years to enhance and overhaul the hospital’s facilities as part of a £7m project.

This has included around £1m spent on the electrical infrastructure and the installation of more than 8,500 new LED lights.

It is estimated that the improved efficiency means the hospital will now have £625,000 per year for the next 25-years - more than £15m - to spend on direct patient care.

Phil Sturdy, deputy director of estates at Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust, said: “There is a clear patient benefit here in terms of the broader resilience of the site, as well as what people may notice while in hospital, such as more natural feel to the lighting.

“The quality of the work and the effort that has been put in by everyone has given the Trust a project to be proud of.

“It was very technically challenging but it will support the Trust in continuing to deliver high quality patient care supported by robust engineering infrastructure and capacity to support future clinical developments.

“It also helps us continue to reduce energy costs and emissions in line with our Carbon Management Plan.”