Multi-million pound plans to build a largely new hospital on site of the current Leighton Hospital have been unveiled.
Bosses at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust say the “exciting proposals” will ensure a long-term vision for Leighton Hospital.
The plan is for a new hospital which would rebuild approximately 85% of the existing site.
Leighton Hospital was first opened almost 50 years ago in 1972.
The trust says this is a better idea than spending “considerable money” trying to bring what it calls the current “unsuitable site” up to an acceptable standard.
Health chiefs say it will deliver a “state of the art, technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable facility offering exceptional, modern healthcare”.
A spokesperson said: “Mid Cheshire Hospitals will need to transform the care that it has traditionally provided, to meet the future needs of the population which is getting larger, growing older, and has increasing needs.
“Leighton Hospital is in need of significant renovation and upgrade and is therefore not suitable for delivering modern healthcare services due to its size, layout and extensive repair programme.
“The redevelopment would happen over a number of phases to make sure existing services are not disrupted.”
James Sumner, Chief Executive of MCHFT, said: “We are delighted to be able to share these exciting new proposals for a new Leighton Hospital.
“This will be a hugely important project to improve the health and wellbeing of everyone in the local area.
“Our ambitious plan will deliver a hospital that is fit for purpose for the future and designed around the needs of our patients, their families and our staff.
“We have a clear strategic vision for the future of Leighton Hospital and we are now working up the detailed costings; achieving our vision is dependent on securing appropriate funding.
“As our plans progress we will very much want to hear from everyone who has an interest in the hospital, to ensure that our plans consider their ideas and aspirations.”
Crewe & Nantwich MP Dr Kieran Mullan welcomed the plans ahead of a meeting with the Prime Minister aimed at gaining support for the proposals.
Dr Mullan launched a petition to secure Leighton’s place as one of the final eight new hospital build sites in the final round of a multi billion pound hospital building programme.
The new hospitals will be built by 2030 backed by £3.7 billion as part of the biggest hospital building programme for a generation. Eight additional sites are yet to be chosen.
The MP said “Leighton Hospital was built in the 1970s and was never planned to still be in use today.
“It has benefited from a number of big investments in new theatres and other facilities.
“But the reality is, add on blocks and new facilities can only take you so far.
“Leighton needs a fundamental rebuild and this funding opportunity is a unique one we need to grab with both hands.
“It is great that the public can now get a better understanding of what this would look like by looking at the proposals released this week by Leighton.
“I would encourage everyone who wants to support Leighton to sign the petition.
“We had an enormous response from residents as part of our campaign to get Leighton funding for it’s A&E, with thousands signing the petition. Now we need peoples help again to get behind Leighton.”
The Trust says it is working with a strategic partner to develop the proposal in more detail, but would not reveal who the partner is.
It hopes to have a “full strategic outline case” by the end of February next year.
Let’s hope they also provide adequate parking. The hospital management (who no doubt have allocated parking) seem to lose sight of the fact they are dealing with sick people. Just saying “use public transport” is not a practical solution for a lot of people who live in the more rural areas.
you forget the nhs is there for the benefit of its staff not the patients