Our goal is to make Lancashire and South Cumbria a world-leading centre of excellence for hospital care. We want to give people of all ages and communities across Lancashire and South Cumbria equal access to the best possible hospital facilities, to help them live longer, healthier lives.

This could be achieved by creating a network of brand new and refurbished facilities, addressing significant problems with our ageing hospitals in Preston (Royal Preston Hospital) and Lancaster (Royal Lancaster Infirmary). There is also a need to invest in Furness General Hospital, due to the importance it plays in such a remote area of the region.

Our Case for Change report, published in July 2021, explains why funding for new hospital facilities is essential for the health of local people. It also describes the impact that the current issues with these buildings have on patient and staff experience, local people’s health, and the ability to carry out essential hospital services. We want to listen to patients, local people, staff, and stakeholders to ensure that our proposals to find solutions to address the issues outlined in the Case for Change are informed and shaped by the people that are served by and work at our hospitals.

We want to make sure local people

• Are aware and informed about proposals
• Know how they can get involved
• Understand why decisions are made
• Feel enthusiastic about what is possible
• Have trust in the process

"The condition of buildings at Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary have reached a critical state, restricting the ability to provide high quality, safe, efficient and cost-effective services for patients and to attract and retain staff."

Jerry Hawker, Director of Transformation, NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board and Senior Responsible Officer for the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme