York Central MP Rachael Maskell’s campaign to keep the Bootham Park Hospital estate in public hands has received a boost after NHS Property Services announced that they would pause plans to sell off the site for private development and hold a review.

York Labour members helped launch a petition on the issue, and last weekend took to Parliament Street to engage with the public, where they found widespread support. The online petition currently stands at more than 3,500 signatures, with many more having signed the physical petition.

The hospital, and the land on which it stands, was gifted to the people of York, having been purchased by public subscription in the late 18th century. The petition states that rather than being sold to the highest bidder, it should be used to continue providing healthcare for the people of York, and to provide affordable and social housing for NHS staff.

The pause in the sale is a positive step, but it has been achieved by putting pressure on the authorities, and there should be no let-up in that pressure. If you have not yet signed Rachael’s petition, please do so now. You can find it here.