Pioneering private hospital planned for historic Leeds building

Dr Faisal Arshad is currently drawing up detailed proposals to turn the 17th century Red Hall House near Roundhay Park, into a private multi-disciplinary hospital. Dr Arshad with wife and business partner Sommiya recently bought Red Hall House from the Rugby Football League for more than £1.65 million. Dr Arshad said his practice Hair Dr Clinic was expanding quickly and had outgrown its current premises. "The majestic Grade II Red Hall, close to the new East Leeds Orbital Route, is absolutely perfect and it is humbling to have moved into such a magnificent building with such an illustrious history," he said. Once the transformation of Red Hall House is complete, 40 new administrative, clerical and medical jobs will be created at the private hospital, in which the existing Hair Dr Clinic and its current 20 staff will be based. A detailed planning application is to be submitted to Leeds City Council this autumn and, if planning is approved, the newly-named Leeds Private Hospital is scheduled to open next summer. The flagship private hospital aims to be the UK’s foremost private independent medical practice specialising in cosmetic and non-cosmetic day case surgeries. Ms Sommiya said: “The main focus of our work at Red Hall will be offer up-to-date and state-of-the-art treatments, which include surgical and non-surgical options. Our approach is holistic, ensuring that everyone who comes here for surgery will also receive the very best psychological and emotional support. “It is a common but dangerous misconception that, for example a successful hair transplant can be done in isolation with no regard for a client’s emotional wellbeing and mental health. It can’t. With this in mind, we have to identify our clients’ goals and expectations and fulfil them accordingly.” The founders of Leeds Private Hospital have strong links to the region having both graduated from the University of Leeds. Dr Arshad, a consultant head, neck and facial plastic surgeon, and Ms Sommiya, a prractice manager and audiologist with a masters in advanced clinical practice, have exciting plans to expand the repertoire of day case surgeries that will be offered at Leeds Private Hospital. These additional services are to include other cosmetic procedures such as facial plastic surgeries as well as non-cosmetic day case surgeries such as cataracts and arthroscopies with the aim to ease the current huge pressure on NHS waiting lists. Jonathan Erkulis, managing director of Boston Spa-based E3 Architecture, who is drawing up the detailed plans to transform Red Hall House into a high-quality private hospital, said: “Red Hall is one of the earliest examples of red brick architecture within the Leeds district, built in the 1600s. The house, grounds and ancillary buildings have grown and changed over the centuries to suit their different uses. “The vision for Leeds Private Hospital commits to the future restoration, sustainability and longevity of the Grade II-listed building, while creating sensitive and high-quality designed additions to house a prestigious state of the art medical facility. We are very excited to be working alongside Dr Arshad to deliver such an innovative conservation scheme.” Jonathan Hyland, partner at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who sold Red Hall House to Dr Arshad, added: “There was a good deal of interest in this iconic building, but we believe the eventual purchaser, Dr Faisal Arshad, is best placed to breathe fresh life into Red Hall. "His plans to transform the building into a pioneering private hospital are tremendously exciting and we wish him the very best of luck.” *************** Support the YEP and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news and the latest on Leeds United. With a digital subscription, you'll see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Click here to subscribe.