Update on behalf of the NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria
Following the outcome of the Government review of the national New Hospital Programme (published on 20 January 2025), the timescales for delivering two new hospitals to replace Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Infirmary have been 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.
Latest news - 30 March 2026
Lancashire Teaching Hospitals has completed the purchase of the final section of land on the proposed site for the replacement for Royal Preston Hospital (RPH).
The land at Lancashire Central, adjacent to the planned commercial site, has been purchased from strategic partner, Lancashire County Council, as part of the national New Hospital Programme.
Lancashire Central is being brought forward by Lancashire County Council in partnership with Maple Grove Developments under an existing Development Agreement.
The purchase completes the land assembly of the acres required to build a replacement for RPH and enables future public consultation on the proposed new hospital site.
The proposed site for the new build is land between Stanifield Lane and Wigan Road, south of Stoney Lane in Farington, near to the end of the M65 West.
Whilst the Trust has now completed the purchase of the potential new site for a new hospital build, 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 and the necessary national and local approvals.
The NHS is open to other sites being suggested, which would be subject to the same comprehensive review as the proposed site. The existing Royal Preston Hospital site will remain in place and deliver services until new hospital facilities are opened. The local NHS will continue to keep communities involved and provide further updates throughout the process.
