Proposed sites confirmed for two new hospitals in Lancashire

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.

Patients in the region are now set to benefit from cutting-edge facilities and the absolute best in modern healthcare through high-quality, next generation hospital facilities and technologies as part of a programme of national investment through the New Hospital Programme.

• The proposed site for the replacement of Royal Preston Hospital is land between Stanifield Lane and Wigan Road, south of Stoney Lane in Farington, near to the end of the M65 West.
• The proposed site for the replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary is Bailrigg East, situated north of and in close proximity to Lancaster University.

Proposals for investment in Furness General Hospital’s infrastructure are also in development and will be shared in due course.

Professor Silas Nicholls, Chief Executive of Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“Securing our preferred site is a huge step forward in our bid to create a state-of-the-art new hospital to replace Royal Preston Hospital. This would provide major trauma and specialist services to the population of Lancashire and South Cumbria and acute hospital services to Central Lancashire.

“A new hospital will improve quality, safety and patient experience and have a transformative impact on the services we will be able to provide on-site and in our wider communities, so we can meet the needs of our patients and future generations.

“In addition, it would drive much-needed investment to the region, acting as the catalyst for future jobs, skills, research and further economic development opportunities.”

Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“A new hospital on a new site in Lancaster will allow us to fully address the significant problems that we face with the current ageing buildings at Royal Lancaster Infirmary and will bring huge benefits to our communities and to the wider economy.

“We have the opportunity to create a legacy, with a hospital specifically designed for the needs of our population, improving their experience and giving them the best clinical care. We additionally have significant ambitions to create facilities that are digitally innovative, much more cost effective, and with a reduced carbon footprint.”

The local NHS wants to hear from patients, residents, colleagues and stakeholders about what a new hospital will mean for them and how the move to a new hospital site might impact them. People will be invited to have their say through a series of public events as well as through a survey, details of which will be shared in the new year.

Kevin Lavery, Chief Executive of NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, said:

“A comprehensive review of sites, including plot size, location, motorway access, existing highways infrastructure, public transport, planning and environmental conditions, has been undertaken to assess sites for their suitability.

“Whilst proposals are at an early stage, we understand many people will want more information about how the travel and transport arrangements will work for the new facilities.

“We want to hear about how our proposals for the two new hospitals on new sites would affect you, your family or people you care for. Your views will help to inform the development of any plans going forward.

“While the local NHS has secured the potential new sites, no final decisions have been made. It is important to emphasise that any such decision would be subject to full public consultation at a later date.”

Morag Stuart, Chief Programme Officer for the New Hospital Programme, said:

"This is a significant step towards two brand-new hospitals to replace both Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary to benefit local people and NHS colleagues living and working in Lancashire and South Cumbria. The New Hospital Programme has been pleased to support the land acquisition process for these sites, which are two key milestones in our mission to transform the delivery of healthcare infrastructure and services."

The NHS is open to other sites being suggested, which would be subject to the same comprehensive review as the proposed sites.

The existing Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary sites will remain in place and deliver services until new hospital facilities are opened. The local NHS will continue to keep communities involved and provide further updates throughout the process.

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 in the future in a way that makes the best use of all available resources, with the aim of supporting our communities, bringing jobs, skills and contracts to local businesses and residents.

For more information, please visit https://newhospitals.info 

Further information

Whilst the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has identified and 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), it remains open to and welcoming of suggestions of alternative sites, which will be subject to the same assessment criteria.

To find out more about the criteria for suitable new hospital sites in our area and how to submit a site for review, visit https://newhospitals.info/SubmitSite 

The local NHS will be proactively seeking feedback through a survey and programme of public engagement events, which will be launched early in 2025. This would be ahead of later formal public consultation.

More about the potential sites

Proposed site for the replacement of Royal Preston Hospital

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.

• The site comprises of farmland.
• It is close to residential, commercial and retail areas.
• Major motorway links include M6 and M65.
• The nearest railway station is 1 mile away.
• There are various existing bus routes.

Proposed site for the replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary

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.

• The nearest residential area is adjacent to the north of the site.
• The nearest motorway is the M6, with the A6 being the nearest major road for access.
• Lancaster railway station is 3.2 miles from site.
• Bus routes are found along the A6 and within the university campus.

For any press enquiries, please email lscicb.media@nhs.net