Government review of the national New Hospital Programme: statement on behalf of the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Date posted: 20th January 2025
On Monday 20 January 2025, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting made a statement on the outcome of the Government’s review into the national New Hospital Programme.
The review, which was announced in July 2024, was designed to ensure that the New Hospital Programme could be delivered in a realistic and costed manner.
The outcome of the review shows an ongoing commitment to delivering two brand-new hospitals on two new sites to replace Royal Preston Hospital (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) and Royal Lancaster Infirmary (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust), which will create better outcomes for patients and staff across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
However, as referred to by Mr Streeting, the timescales for delivering these two hospitals are now delayed, with construction expected to begin between 2035 and 2039.
Under a revised delivery timetable published on 20 January 2025 (opens in new window):
- Construction work on a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary is expected to start between 2035 and 2038
- Construction work on a replacement Royal Preston Hospital is expected to start between 2037 and 2039.
Work on the two Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospital Programme schemes has continued whilst the review has taken place. In December 2024, proposed sites were announced for the two brand new hospitals, with the land acquisition process supported by the national New Hospital Programme. Earlier in January, a comprehensive series of public and colleague engagement events and a survey were announced to gather feedback and insights on the proposed sites. We will be continuing with this engagement activity as planned.
Professor Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:
"It is now more important than ever for patients, NHS colleagues and the public to get involved with the conversation about a new hospital to replace Royal Preston Hospital. By giving us your views on the proposed site, you can have a real impact on how the future hospital could be delivered. We will continue to work closely with all our partners and stakeholders to ensure that the need for new facilities remains high on everybody’s agenda so that our communities can continue to access high quality and specialist care in an environment that truly suits their needs.”
Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said:
“Any delay to the delivery of a replacement new hospital for the Royal Lancaster Infirmary is disappointing, but we accept the need for a fully costed and deliverable timeline of investment through the New Hospital Programme. Whilst this may not be the news local communities wanted, we hope that the outcome brings some certainty that patients and NHS colleagues will get the new hospital that they deserve.”
New hospitals are just part of the picture for health services. The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria will continue to deliver improvements in health and care across the region, including how we work together with hospitals, community and primary care, and local authorities to reconfigure our services so that they deliver the best possible outcomes for our population.
Further updates will be shared in due course.
Click here to take our survey on proposed sites for new hospitals (opens in new window).