Latest from the programme

An update from the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria regarding the timescale for two new hospitals in Lancashire.

Members of the public are being invited to have their say on the proposed sites for two new hospitals in the region, which are being delivered through the Government’s New Hospital Programme. Following the announcement last month that University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have secured land to build new hospitals to replace Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital respectively, a series of public engagement events have been lined up to gather feedback and insights from local communities.

After considerable negotiations, the NHS can reveal the locations of two new potential sites for brand new hospitals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

Whilst the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has identified and secured preferred 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), it remains open to and welcoming of suggestions of alternative sites. Find out how to submit a site for consideration.

An update from the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's 2024 Autumn Statement.

Royal Preston Hospital is the major trauma centre for Lancashire and South Cumbria, providing support for adult patients across the area, as well as being part of the North West major trauma network for children. Emergency medicine consultant and co-lead for major trauma, Dr Kirsty Challen explains more about what this means for patients with serious and / or life-threatening injuries and how a new hospital on a new site to replace Royal Preston Hospital would benefit patients and colleagues.

In July 2024, the Government announced that a full and comprehensive review of the NHP would be undertaken to provide a realistic timetable for delivery, the Terms of Reference for which were published on 20 September 2024. We have welcomed the review and the opportunity it provides us in ensuring the programme is on the soundest possible footing for delivery.

Professor Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, explains what excites him about the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme, a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape the future of healthcare in our area.

The national New Hospital Programme would like to invite you to a 90-minute virtual workshop on 13 June 2024 to hear about your experiences of pharmacy and receiving your medicines when being discharged from hospital, including how this could be improved.

If you live in Lancashire and South Cumbria please get involved in the Citizens Health Reference Group, and help shape health services in our area. Work with NHS commissioners to support the development of services, policies and pathways, including supporting the development of consultation approaches and supporting the New Hospitals Programme.