‘After considerable negotiations’, the locations of two potential sites for new hospitals to be built as part of the New Hospital Programme to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary have been revealed.
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 the end of the M65 West, while the corresponding location for a replacement for Royal Lancaster Infirmary is Bailrigg East, north of, and in close proximity to, Lancaster University. Proposals for investment in Furness General Hospital’s infrastructure are also in development.
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. It would also it drive much-needed investment to the region, acting as the catalyst for future jobs, skills, research, and further economic development opportunities.”
Aaron Cummins, CEO of University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, added: “A new hospital on a new site in Lancaster will allow us to fully address the significant problems 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 says it 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 both via public events and a survey.
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, and planning and environmental conditions, has been undertaken to assess sites for their suitability. While 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 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 existing Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary sites will remain in place and deliver services until new hospital facilities are opened.
