Update on behalf of the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Following a Government review into the national New Hospital Programme, the timescales for delivering these two hospitals are now delayed. The outcome of the review shows an ongoing commitment to delivering two brand-new hospitals on two new sites to replace Royal Preston Hospital (Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust) and Royal Lancaster Infirmary (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust), which will create better outcomes for patients and staff across Lancashire and South Cumbria.
Under a revised delivery timetable:
- Construction work on a replacement Royal Lancaster Infirmary is expected to start between 2035 and 2038
- Construction work on a replacement Royal Preston Hospital is expected to start between 2037 and 2039.
Prior to the outcome of the review, in December 2024, proposed sites were announced for the two brand new hospitals, with the land acquisition process supported by the national New Hospital Programme. In January 2025, a comprehensive series of public and colleague engagement events and a survey were announced to gather feedback and insights on the proposed sites.
Update on engagement programme
In light of the significant delay to the timeframes in which the new hospitals are expected to be built, the local NHS has made the difficult decision to suspend public engagement on the proposed sites. The planned programme of public events and independent market research will be cancelled until further notice. The survey closed on Monday 27 January 2025. Following this we will analyse responses and we would like to take this opportunity to thank people and our staff for their input.
We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our region’s hospitals
The Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme is aiming to address significant problems with our ageing hospitals in Preston (Royal Preston Hospital) and Lancaster (Royal Lancaster Infirmary).
Proposals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary with two brand new hospitals are in progress.
Visit the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme website: newhospitals.info
