Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme
Date posted: 14th July 2023
The latest news on the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme is the recent announcement of two new hospitals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary on two new sites as part of a rolling programme of national investment in capital infrastructure beyond 2030.
Highlights from the last 12 months
Over the last few years, the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme team has heard from thousands of people across the region. In September 2022, the Your Hospitals, Your Say report was published. This revealed insights such as widespread support in favour of funding for new hospital facilities, with travel and accessibility considerations being the biggest talking point.
In September 2022, the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria stated its preference for new hospitals on new sites for both Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary as part of the New Hospitals Programme, alongside alternative partial rebuild options. This followed a comprehensive assessment for deliverability, affordability, value for money, and viability, considering feedback from thousands of patients, local people and staff.
On 25 May 2023, the Government announced a record investment of more than £20 billion, ring-fenced for the next phase of the national New Hospital Programme, which brought proposals for new cutting-edge hospital facilities for Lancashire and South Cumbria a step closer. The local NHS welcomes the announcement of two new hospitals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary as part of a rolling programme of national investment in capital infrastructure beyond 2030. This will also include investment in improvements to Furness General Hospital.
Next steps
Further detailed work is underway to assess the viability of potential locations for new hospital builds for both Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary 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.
Please do continue to get involved and have your say to help us build the hospital facilities that our patients, colleagues, local communities and future generations need and deserve. Visit the New Hospitals Programme website to keep up to date on all the latest news.