Client
Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Location
Leeds, England
Wharfedale Locality Hospital
The 76-bed hospital now houses four operating theatres, a minor injuries unit, outpatients, physiotherapy, endoscopy and radiology services. Originally opened with two theatres in 2004, the hospital was expanded through a new Elective Care Hub in 2024.
Financial Close
September 2002
Construction Period
2002 - 2004
Concession Period
30 years
Handback
2033
Client
Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust
Location
Leeds, England
Sponsor/Investor
Invesis, Averon park
Consortium
Wharfedale SPV Ltd
Engineering Procurement and Construction
BAM Construction
Operations and Maintenance
BAM FM
Capital Value
€24m
Partnering with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust to deliver and continuously improve a vital community hospital
When Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust needed to replace an outdated community hospital in Otley, they turned to Invesis. Wharfedale was the Trust's first PFI scheme - requiring a partner with the expertise and long-term commitment to design, build, finance and maintain a complex NHS facility over a 30-year concession.
Invesis was awarded the contract in 2002, with BAM Construction delivering the 76-bed hospital and BAM FM providing facilities management over the concession period. The hospital opened in 2004, built around a central quadrangle to create a patient-friendly environment with strong natural light and ventilation.
Invesis holds 75% of the SPV alongside co-investor Averon Park (25%). Now in its third decade of operation, the partnership continues to evolve - from installing a new Elective Care Hub that adds 3,500 procedures per year, to deploying solar panels and digital FM tools that keep the hospital performing at its best.
Using BIM, smart controls and solar energy to drive continuous improvement across a 30-year partnership
In 2017, Wharfedale became one of the first NHS PFI hospitals to deploy a full retrospective BIM model - a 3D digital record of over 4,000 assets. Linked to iPads on site, the model allows FM engineers to complete 60 room surveys in two hours, 33% faster than manual processes, with QR-coded water valves enabling quick anti-scalding checks updated in real time.
Smart HVAC controls have cut electricity use in the operating theatres by 28%, saving 13,600 kWh annually. A 671-panel solar PV system installed in the car park in 2023 reduces carbon emissions by 43.7 tonnes per year, saves the Trust approximately £75,000 annually and reduces grid electricity dependency by 15%.
Improving patient outcomes, cutting carbon and supporting the natural environment around Wharfedale Hospital
- The Elective Care Hub, completed in October 2024, expanded the hospital from two to four operating theatres - adding capacity for 3,500 additional procedures per year and cutting treatment waiting times for patients across Wharfedale and North Leeds.
- 671 solar PV panels installed in 2023 generate clean energy equivalent to the annual output of 60 households, cutting carbon by 43.7 tonnes per year and saving the Trust approximately £75,000 annually.
- LED lighting was installed throughout the entire hospital in April 2026, further reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions.
- Smart HVAC controls reduce theatre ventilation to 50% after one hour of inactivity and shut down completely overnight, cutting theatre electricity use by 28%.
- Wild Life Friendly Otley, a local charity, has been engaged to deliver a wildflower planting programme in the hospital's external grounds, supporting local biodiversity in Otley.
- BAM FM has a decarbonisation plan in place, with Invesis providing energy performance data to the Infrastructure Projects Authority.
