PLANS for a new state of the art health and care complex to look after Britain's biggest army base have taken another step forward.

The plans are now going to NHS England for review and approval, but it's been revealed the centre which was originally due to be open in 2022 is not now expected to be ready before 2024. It will serve 13,000 soldiers and their families at Catterick Garrison plus the wider area.

Richmondshire GP Dr Mark Hodgson of North Yorkshire commissioning group said: "The Catterick Integrated Care Campus will be a hub for the whole of Richmondshire. We are delighted that the CCG Governing Body has signed off the outline business case giving us the opportunity to move to the next stage. It’s something the area has never had before and the plans aim to address the significant difficulties that residents currently experience accessing secondary care."

He said the aim is to help people to help themselves to better health and wellbeing whilst providing the safety net of more formal health and social care when people need it.

Thousands more soldiers are expected over the next decade, the site is also due to have community facilities.