Update on the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme
Date posted: 18th January 2023
In September 2022, the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria stated its preference for new hospitals on new sites for both Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital as part of the New Hospitals Programme, alongside alternative partial rebuild options.
We are currently awaiting further announcements from the national New Hospital Programme team regarding capital funding for our programme, which will help determine what is possible.
The preferred option for Royal Lancaster Infirmary is a new state-of-the-art hospital on a new site, providing an opportunity to significantly improve patient experience, the quality of services provided, and improve the environment for patients, visitors and staff. The alternative option is an improved Royal Lancaster Infirmary in the current location to include a new urgent and emergency care village, together with reprovision of critical care, maternity and neonatal, and some inpatient accommodation and diagnostics. Each of the shortlisted proposals for new hospital facilities in Lancashire and South Cumbria also includes investment in Furness General Hospital.
The preferred option for Royal Preston Hospital is a new state-of-the-art hospital on a new site, with an improved and enhanced urgent and emergency service, increased capacity for specialised services and the opportunity to maximise significant quality and productivity gains. The alternative option is an improved Royal Preston Hospital on the current site to include a new urgent and emergency care village, together with replacement of some inpatient facilities for non-elective medical and surgical patients, and the replacement of nine theatres and diagnostic facilities.
Further detailed work on the shortlist of proposals is underway to assess the viability of potential locations for new hospital builds for both Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital and to develop the required business cases. There is still further work to be completed in this area and additional sites may emerge over the coming period. Further information will be shared in due course.
Jerry Hawker, Senior Responsible Officer for Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme, said:
“We had hoped that announcements would have been made in January 2023 regarding capital funding for the crucial investment in new hospital facilities for our local communities in Lancashire and South Cumbria, but the Government has asked for further work to take place on the national New Hospital Programme.
“We are in regular communication with the national New Hospital Programme team and will share an update as soon as we hear more regarding funding and the impact on our proposals.
“No final decisions have been made and we will continue to involve patients, local people, staff and wider stakeholders in the development of proposals for cutting-edge hospital facilities, offering the absolute best in modern healthcare.”