The Lancaster MP has welcomed the news that NHS bosses are looking to build a new hospital away from the current RLI site.
This week it was announced that following on from the unveiling of the shortlist of proposals for new hospital facilities in March, the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme team have decided their preferred option for Royal Lancaster Infirmary (University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust) is a new state-of-the-art hospital on a new site, which could be up to a ten mile radius away from the current site.
Labour’s Cat Smith said: ‘(This) is good news for Lancaster residents and the staff who work in our NHS.
‘’Lancaster needs a state of the art hospital with modern facilities and improved access to healthcare in the community. I am happy that they listened to myself and local Labour councillors like Lizzi Collinge when we were clear residents did not want one 'super hospital' to serve both Preston and Lancaster, as was on the original longlist of options.
‘’The current RLI buildings are falling apart and it also suffers horrendous traffic and parking issues which spill over into local residential areas.
Related: NHS bosses unveil preference for a new hospital at a new site for Lancaster
‘’I will be now working hard to ensure the new Lancaster site will be accessible to everyone, including public transport users, and that they support a move to zero-carbon healthcare.
‘’In Westminster I’ll be pushing the Treasury to make a financial commitment to fund these plans, the programme having been subjected to multiple delays in getting a concrete financial settlement.’’
The Programme’s alternative option for RLI 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.
LISTEN: Lancaster Music Co-Op to reopen in 2027 after £90k boost
Motorcycle stolen in Lancaster garage burglary
LISTEN: Lancaster film director's new action thriller starring John Hannah coming to home city
Warning issued over potentially fraudulent wedding fayre in Carnforth
Lancaster man who filmed schoolgirls and sent lewd messages jailed for five years
Road in Lancaster closed for works due to collapsed drain
New £1m apprenticeship scheme to create 30 posts at Lancaster City Council
Budget 2026: Reaction from Lancaster and Morecambe area
Morecambe bookies shuts as part of 132 nationwide closures
Stores including Morecambe remain open as Poundland on brink of administration
Lancaster would remain a city even if council is scrapped in local government shake-up
What's On: Our Halloween and bonfire/fireworks events guide
Public consultation looms on "potential closure" of Lancaster Park and Ride
Lancaster hospice to hold Light Up A Life events to reflect on lost loved ones
Councillor reprimanded for breaking rules over controversial A6 housing plans
WATCH: Emu on the loose among traffic in Lancaster
Morecambe school looks for memories to mark 125th birthday
Morecambe FC chief gives staffing update after new arrivals at club
LISTEN: How Halloween affects Lancaster woman who suffered 75 per cent burns in fire
