HEALTH bosses are celebrating after securing £10.4m to fund a series of developments.

Scarborough and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust has been given the go-ahead for six programmes.

The regional Strategic Health Authority backed six out of seven bids from the trust.

Included among the bids which were agreed were developments in endoscopy, MRI scanning facilities, additional operating theatres, an aseptic suite in pharmacy and improvements to the electricity system at Scarborough Hospital.

The only unsuccessful bid was for the improvement of the intensive care unit at Scarborough.

Other ways of finding funding for that project are being sought.

Chief executive Alison Guy said: "It is impossible to over-estimate the enormous benefits that this investment will bring to this area.

"It is wonderful news and we are very grateful that the health authority has supported us.

"It demonstrates that, not only do they appreciate the need for this investment, but also that they have the confidence in this organisation to deliver the improvements necessary.

"That, in itself, is a great morale-booster for our staff, who have worked incredibly hard recently to make this trust the best-performing in the area.

"That splendid record is down to the people who work here, and the fact that we have been granted this huge sum of money is a real vote of confidence in our work."

Staff were told about the success of the bids at a briefing and greeted the news with applause.

Mrs Guy said: "It's a real pleasure to have to schedule a special meeting to pass on good news to all the people who've made this possible."

Detailed planning work will now begin for all the schemes that were approved.

The most recent major investment at the trust was a £2.4m sterile service unit

That building is complete and was handed over last week.

It is expected that the unit will be equipped and working by April.

Also celebrating were staff at Malton, Norton and District Hospital, which won £1.4m for its outpatient, minor injury, day-case, physiotherapy, and dental services .

The board of Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Primary Care Trust has received confirmation from the Strategic Health Authority that its bid for the improvements has been successful.

The trust is now waiting for planning approval from Ryedale District Council.