Public engagement on proposed sites for new hospitals in Preston and Lancaster has been indefinitely postponed after the government delayed the projects until the late 2030s. The NHS in Lancashire and South Cumbria has cancelled planned public events and surveys due to the significant delay, disappointing residents who were eager to have their say on the long-awaited facilities.
A major engagement exercise to get the public’s thoughts on the proposed sites for new hospitals in Preston and Lancaster has been indefinitely postponed after the projects were pushed back to the late 2030s. A survey and series of drop-in events were launched just last week, the first opportunity residents have had to have their say on where the long-promised facilities are built.
When the government’s decision was announced earlier this week, the Lancashire engagement exercise was still being actively promoted, but reports have since emerged that hospital projects whose start dates now lie beyond 2030 could have to disband the teams working on them. The Health Service Journal says government funding for the staff dedicated to delivering the facilities will be withdrawn.
“Whilst this may not be the news local communities wanted, we hope that the outcome brings some certainty that patients and NHS colleagues will get the new hospital that they deserve. Getting feedback from patients, NHS staff and the public will be just as important in that process – and we will be asking for everyone’s views on our proposals again at an appropriate time.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting said in the Commons on Monday that all of the promised new hospitals across the country now had “an honest, realistic, deliverable timetable that can believe in”.
NEW HOSPITALS DELAY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT NHS LANCASHIRE
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