Plans to build a super hospital somewhere between Lancaster and Preston that would have seen the RLI close down have been scrapped.
A shortlist of plans that could see the RLI either rebuilt, refurbished or moved to a different local site have been unveiled instead. The range of proposals, which also include the future of the Royal Preston Hospital, will now be considered further by health bosses, who are keen to transform care and reduce health inequalities for local people.
The Lancashire and South Cumbria Health and Care Partnership describe the plans as ‘a significant development in the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme, which plans to develop new, cutting-edge facilities, offering the absolute best in modern healthcare and addressing significant problems with the ageing Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary buildings.’
The shortlisted proposals are as follows:
A new Royal Lancaster Infirmary on a new site, with partial rebuild / refurbishment of Royal Preston Hospital, or
A new Royal Preston Hospital on a new site, with partial rebuild / refurbishment of Royal Lancaster Infirmary, or
Investment at both Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital, allowing partial rebuilding work on both existing sites, or
Two new hospitals to replace Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital (new sites).
These proposals also include investment in Furness General Hospital, required due to its geographically remote location, its proximity to some of the UK’s major strategic national assets, and its need to meet NHS environmental goals.
In line with NHS guidelines, the shortlisted proposals will be benchmarked against options for no change to, and / or limited investment in, Royal Lancaster Infirmary and Royal Preston Hospital to address the list of tasks that need to be performed to repair or maintain the buildings and keep them in a suitable working condition.
Plans for a so called ‘super hospital’ on a central site have been shelved, as well as among other ideas, plans to build a complete new Royal Lancaster Infirmary on the existing site, a new Royal Preston Hospital on the existing site.
The shortlist of proposals for new hospital facilities has been endorsed by the Lancashire and South Cumbria Strategic Commissioning Committee, and reflects extensive feedback gathered from more than 12,000 local people, patients, NHS staff, community representatives and stakeholders over the last year, using online workshops and surveys, public opinion research, focus groups, and in-person events and meetings.
Jerry Hawker, Executive Director for the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to build the hospital facilities that our patients, staff, local communities and future generations need and deserve. To help shape these plans, we must take on board the views of those people whose lives may be most impacted by any change, including our NHS staff, patients and local people.
“The people we’ve heard from have told us they agree that Lancashire and South Cumbria needs funding for new hospital facilities. However, we’ve also heard clearly and consistently that travel and accessibility are a huge priority. This was an important factor in helping us decide which proposals to take forward and which to discount from the shortlist.
“We want to thank everyone who has taken the time to share their views. We are now asking local people to share their opinions on the proposals we’ve shortlisted, and may move to public consultation if the option or options we take forward could change services or patient access significantly. We’ll continue to keep everyone posted on our plans.”
Following detailed analysis of each shortlisted option’s feasibility, the programme will follow a clear process over the coming months, with scrutiny and approvals needed from decision makers within the NHS, the government and local authorities, and ongoing patient and public involvement, before the preferred option is agreed.
The programme aims to complete the building of new hospital facilities by 2030.
For more information on how to get involved or to provide your views on the shortlisted proposals for new hospitals, please visit the Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme website HERE
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