Frequently asked questions

Following the outcome of a Government review of the national New Hospital Programme, which was announced in January 2025, the timescales for delivering two new hospitals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary have been signifcantly impacted.

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.

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.

Although people will be understandably disappointed about the delayed plans, the NHS welcomes the government’s commitment to delivering the hospital albeit over a more sustainable timeframe.

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.

The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has secured proposed sites for new hospitals on new sites to replace both Royal Preston Hospital (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) and Royal Lancaster Infirmary (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust). Land acquisition was supported through the national New Hospital Programme.

The proposed site for the replacement of Royal Preston Hospital is the land between Stanifield Lane and Wigan Road, south of Stoney Lane, in Farington, near to the end of the M65 West.

Above: the proposed site of a replacement Royal Preston Hospital. (Image credit: Google, 2024.)

Above: the current site of Royal Preston Hospital, alongside the proposed site of a replacement Royal Preston Hospital. (Image credit: Google, 2024.)

The proposed site for the replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary is Bailrigg East, Lancaster. Bailrigg East is land situated north of and in close proximately to Lancaster University.

Above: the proposed site of a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary. (Image credit: Google, 2024.)

Above: the current site of Royal Lancaster Infirmary, alongside the proposed site of a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary. (Image credit: Google, 2024.)

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust has secured a site in the interim for a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has secured a site in the interim for a replacement Royal Preston Hospital. Should an alternative site become the preferred site, the Trust will enact the agreed exit strategy. Although no final decision has or can be taken at this stage, before the Trust can proceed to the consultation stage, a deliverable option is required to enable a full and transparent consultation process to commence.

It is important to state that no final decisions have been made. Although the NHS has secured potential new sites, we are open to other sites being suggested, which would be subject to the same comprehensive review as the proposed sites. We have an exit plan in place should the preferred potential sites not be required for new hospital builds.

Whilst the Trusts have bought the sites at Bailrigg East and Lancashire Central to potentially use for a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary and a replacement Royal Preston Hospital respectively, it is important we consider all options should a proposed site no longer be required for a new hospital build. We have therefore developed an exit strategy detailing the options for what we could do with the land / site.

Should the position change and the site no longer be required for the replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary / Royal Preston Hospital, then the Trust and ICB will review the preferred way forward for the site. This review would include consideration of any other health-related requirements in the first instance. Following that process, appropriate professional advice would be taken with regard to interim site management and potential disposal.

The Trusts have been, and remain open to, considering any alternative sites identified or put forward. This will remain until the Integrated Care Board (ICB) receives and makes a decision based on a Decision Making Business Case, following public consultation. This process will be completed utilising the same criteria adopted for all sites considered to date.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust has secured a site in the interim for a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has secured a site in the interim for a replacement Royal Preston Hospital. Should an alternative site become the preferred site, the Trust will enact the agreed exit strategy. Although no final decision has or can be taken at this stage, before the Trust can proceed to the consultation stage, a deliverable option is required to enable a full and transparent consultation process to commence.

Timings for the full public consultation will be shared at a later date.

Landowners and agents can find out more about the criteria for sites suitable for new hospitals in our area and how to submit a site for review at: https://newhospitals.info/SubmitSite

We are keen to hear your views on the proposed sites and suggestions for deliverable alternatives. Get involved and have your say at one of our engagement events or by filling out our survey. Find out more at: https://newhospitals.info/HaveYourSay

A comprehensive review of sites (including plot size for anticipated design requirements), location (including proximity to existing site), motorway access, existing highways infrastructure, public transport, planning and environmental conditions has been undertaken to assess sites for their suitability.

As part of the work carried out to look for potential sites, we considered travel distances, travel times, and the transport options available at this time, including public transport. This work has provided us with useful and important insight and started to show the areas that could be most impacted by a new site for a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary and a new site for a replacement Royal Preston Hospital. Whilst we are at an early stage, we will use the information we have gathered so far and work with partners (such as local councils) to create plans and opportunities for future travel and transport.

No final decision has or can be taken on the site of the new hospital to replace Royal Lancaster Infirmary at this stage.

Before the Trust can proceed to the consultation stage, a deliverable option is required to enable a full and transparent consultation process to commence.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust purchased 94 acres of land, including the Low Hill House property, at a cost of £32,500,000 on 28 November 2024.

The purchase of land was from earmarked national capital funding specifically drawn down from the national New Hospital Programme for that purpose only. This is separate to the usual Trust capital budgets.

The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is open to other sites being suggested, which would be subject to the same comprehensive review as the proposed site. An exit plan is in place should the preferred potential site not be required for a new hospital build.

No final decision has or can be taken on the site of the new hospital to replace Royal Preston Hospital at this stage.

Before the Trust can proceed to the consultation stage, a deliverable option is required to enable a full and transparent consultation process to commence.

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust purchased 38.3 acres of land at a cost of £15,000,000 plus VAT (£18,000,000 in total) on 28 November 2024.

The purchase of land was from earmarked national capital funding specifically drawn down from the national New Hospital Programme for that purpose only. This is separate to the usual Trust capital budgets.

The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria is open to other sites being suggested, which would be subject to the same comprehensive review as the proposed site. An exit plan is in place should the preferred potential site not be required for a new hospital build.

Accessibility will be a key consideration in developing proposals for new hospitals on new sites.

Local people’s ability to access the care they need is an absolute priority. We believe that better, more efficient hospital facilities will reduce waiting lists and hospital stay times. We also want to use digital technology to create a network of services for local people, meaning hospitals can work together more effectively, and patients can access pioneering treatment either in person or remotely, closer to home.

Public engagement and later public consultation will help us better understand the local needs of our population and any detrimental effects to access. 

In light of the significant delay to the timeframes in which the new hospitals are expected to be built, the local NHS has made the difficult decision to suspend public engagement on the proposed sites.

A planned programme of public events and independent market research, launched in January 2025, will be cancelled until further notice. We would like to take this opportunity to thank people and our staff for their input.

Patients, local people, colleagues and stakeholders will again be encouraged to share their views about what new hospitals on new sites could mean for them, and on how the proposed hospital sites might impact them, at a later date.

Your views are still welcomed throughout, and we would encourage you to get involved in developing our proposals.

Building new hospitals for Lancashire and South Cumbria is a major task, involving an incredible amount of planning. These new facilities will provide first-class healthcare for generations to come. It is important that we get it right.

We are more likely to get it right if patients, local people and stakeholders get involved at every stage of the planning process, preferably as early as possible. We want everyone in the region to understand what our proposals could mean for them before we take a more fully formed proposal out for formal public consultation later.

We also need to have a realistic, deliverable proposal before we can launch a full public consultation. It is therefore important that as many people as possible help shape this by taking part in pre-consultation engagement.

The existing Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary sites will remain in place and deliver services to our population until new hospital facilities are opened. What this means for future hospital services needs to be worked through. The local NHS will continue to keep communities involved and provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.

The planning for the services within our two new hospitals is part of a wider programme of work that is considering how all of our clinical services are configured across all acute hospital sites in Lancashire and South Cumbria, so that we can meet the needs of our population in the future in a way that makes the best use of all our acute resources and ensures we have a sustainable and viable future delivering safe, effective and affordable services.

The two new hospitals are part of a wider programme of work that is considering how clinical services are configured across all acute hospital sites in Lancashire and South Cumbria to meet the needs of the population.

The land we have identified as a preferred proposed site for Royal Preston Hospital is located approximately eight miles from the current site. A major part of the planning for the new hospital will be making sure it is as easy as possible for people who need to, to get there by car, public transport and other means of travel.

We understand that some people who currently live closer to the existing Royal Preston Hospital may feel that they might be disadvantaged if the hospital moves. We would encourage anyone with similar concerns to get involved in our discussion, as your views will have an impact on how any new hospital is designed, built and operated and how patients, visitors and staff travel to the new hospital site.

It is also important to stress that the location for a new hospital has not been finalised, and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust remains open to considering alternative sites for a new Royal Preston Hospital.

NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the programme team are committed to work with partner organisations such as Preston City Council, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, primary care, and St Catherine's Hospice to develop what these services could be for example, a health hub to provide some health services closer to where people live and work in Preston, should the replacement for Royal Preston Hospital be located outside of Preston. This is in the early stages of development.

The land we have identified as a proposed site for Royal Lancaster Infirmary is located approximately two miles by road from the current site. A major part of the planning for the new hospital will be making sure it is as easy as possible for people who need to, to get there by car, public transport and other means of travel.

We understand that some people who currently live closer to the existing Royal Lancaster Infirmary may feel that they might be disadvantaged if the hospital moves. Please do get involved with the conversation, as your views will have an impact on how any new hospital is designed, built and operated and how patients, visitors and staff travel to the new hospital site.

It is also important to stress that the location for a new hospital has not been finalised, and University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust remains open to considering alternative sites for a new Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

The development of proposals will include consideration of ongoing use of the current location for appropriate elements of healthcare, potentially including community services.

We want our new hospitals to be truly sustainable for many years to come. Delivering on our net zero carbon obligations and the Greener NHS programme (opens in new window) will be a key consideration of our proposals and of new hospital facilities designs, in line with national NHS priorities. Our hospital investment plans will be designed with sustainability at their centre, minimising our environmental footprint as part of the NHS’s zero carbon goal.

Digital technology will play a major part in making new hospitals sustainable. Using techniques such as 3D modelling, we can optimise building designs long before they are built, ensuring that they are energy and heat efficient. Running other functions digitally, for example staff meetings or certain types of appointments, will also improve sustainability by reducing the need to travel.

Another thing to remember is that although building a new hospital is costly, keeping it running for generations of patients costs even more. That is why we want to invest now in a hospital which manages energy, heating, ventilation, clinical and other demands in the most sustainable way possible.

Any local businesses, premises or residences which could be impacted by new hospitals will be invited to get involved with the relevant public consultation when that launches at a later date.

Fully formed proposals for the new hospitals are still being developed and will depend on many factors including the outcome of a public consultation. The overall process for building a new hospital is set out in seven clear steps, from our Case for Change through to new hospital buildings opening their doors.

Under a revised national 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.

Find out more about the steps in the process.
 

Bed availability, waiting lists and crowding at Emergency Departments (A&E) are common issues in existing hospitals. Our new hospitals will aim to address these issues in a number of ways, such as:

• Improved clinical design.
• Improved clinical adjacencies: building a brand new hospital gives us the opportunity to re-think where departments and facilities should be located. This can help to maximise efficiency and improve patient experience, for example by reducing front door ambulance turnover time through improved flow or shortening the corridor distance between the Emergency Department (A&E) and wards. 
• Working together: by working with our partners across the region more closely (such as Integrated Care Boards and other NHS Trusts), we can increase the amount of community care available, direct people to the best care nearby, and improve health outcomes for the population. This will reduce the number of patients who need to visit or stay in hospitals, creating more space for those who need it most.

Bed numbers will depend on a number of factors, including the ability to provide care closer to people’s homes and lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic. We will continue to review and refresh our demand and capacity modelling, which considers population growth, housing growth, and so on, along with ways in which care could be provided in the future. This allows us to determine the capacity required for example for beds, theatres, diagnostic rooms, and more.

The national New Hospital Programme’s Hospital 2.0 guidelines also provide a model on which future hospitals are designed and built, following an integrated and standardised approach. Based on these guidelines, 100% of all our hospital rooms in new hospitals will be single occupancy with en-suite bathrooms. We are currently planning to have similar bed numbers to what we have today.

The design of wards will also be based on Hospital 2.0 guidelines. We will share further information as it gets released by the national New Hospital Programme team.

As well as building new hospitals, we need to invest in improvements to Furness General Hospital in Barrow-in-Furness (UHMBT). This is required due to its geographically remote location, its proximity to some of the UK’s major strategic national assets, and its need to meet NHS environmental goals.

As part of a plan for wider government investment in Barrow-in-Furness, aimed at supporting its key industries and subsequently growing the local population, there is a recognised need for additional capital investment in Furness General Hospital, particularly for urgent and emergency care and maternity services.

Investment in Furness General Hospital would mean better care and a better experience for patients and staff, particularly for patients who need critical or high dependency care and people receiving emergency care. A modern ‘Emergency Care Village’ and expanded diagnostic suite with additional computed tomography (CT) imaging have been proposed, alongside an expanded maternity centre, each aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of care.

The number of single rooms would be increased to create flexible space that could be used to keep patients separated for infection control or could be adapted for other uses, for example, to treat patients who need closer levels of monitoring. A newly developed ‘single front door’ approach would streamline patients arriving at the hospital to the right place more efficiently and prevent unnecessary admissions. Additional digital technologies would be brought in to support a network of care across Lancashire and South Cumbria. This would link up doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to work together on treatment for patients.

Investment in Furness General Hospital is essential to meet the growing needs of Barrow-in-Furness and surrounding areas, increasing capacity and reducing strain on the local healthcare system. Full proposals are still in development for Furness General Hospital and will be shared in due course.

All hospitals in our region have standard NHS funding for regular maintenance and repairs. This is a part of core Trust budgets and is not part of the New Hospitals Programme.

As outlined in the Case for Change report, the NHS in our region has prioritised the need to address significant issues with our ageing hospitals in Preston and Lancaster. There is also a need for investment in Furness General Hospital in the context of its strategic importance and geographically remote location.

Chorley and South Ribble Hospital

Unlike Royal Preston Hospital, the Chorley and South Ribble Hospital site is more modern, with fewer backlog maintenance challenges. It is not part of the national New Hospital Programme. It has its own standard NHS funding for regular maintenance and repairs and this will continue. 
Recent investments at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital include:

• The surgical hub at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital in March 2023 was one of the first eight hubs nationally to have received Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) accreditation as a surgical hub, with new theatres where elective treatment takes place.
• New Cuerden ward.
• Multi-million pound investment in a new state-of-the-art ophthalmology centre.

Where investment is needed at Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust will continue to support this as part of its core budget.

Westmorland General Hospital

The Westmorland General Hospital site is more modern, with fewer backlog maintenance challenges. Outside of the New Hospital Programme, recent investments at Westmorland General Hospital include:

• A new £8.6million Community Diagnostic Centre (CDC), which opened in October 2024. The centre has new MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) scanning suites as well as a welcoming and easily accessible reception area, a new waiting room, consulting rooms and other spaces with different types of diagnostic equipment.
• Total investment of £16.7m into surgical facilities at the hospital since 2019 –including two brand new theatres and the refurbishment of a further three theatres.

Where further investment is needed at Westmorland General Hospital, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust will continue to support this as part of its core budget. 

Royal Preston Hospital is the main provider of specialised services for Lancashire and South Cumbria, providing specialist care to 1.8 million people across the region.

The site provides the very best surgical, radiotherapy and drug treatment for cancer patients across the region, as well as specialist renal, allergy and neurosurgery services.

The specialist regional vascular centre delivers all vascular elective and emergency surgery across Preston, Chorley and South Ribble, as well as Barrow, Kendal, Lancaster, Blackpool and Wigan.

Because of its role as a Major Trauma Centre, Royal Preston Hospital also treats seriously ill and injured patients from as far away as Scotland and Kent, as well as hundreds of others per year who live outside of the immediate region. Find out more about the Major Trauma Centre’s role here.

Building a new hospital to replace Royal Preston Hospital would present an opportunity to improve the running of the Major Trauma Centre and our other specialist services, transforming care for our patients from Lancashire and South Cumbria and beyond.

We know that car parking is an important issue for both patients, families and carers and colleagues working in our hospitals. We are at an early stage in the process and the specific designs for hospitals and their car parks will come at a later stage. We will keep people informed as we progress.

As car parks are often the first point of contact that a patient, visitor or member of staff will have with the hospital site, it is expected car parking will be incorporated within the national New Hospital Programme’s Hospital 2.0 guidelines. This will utilise technology, modern methods of construction and contribute to being carbon net zero.