Government cash released to build two new hospitals
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said it is “delighted and excited” by Government agreement for the trust to build two new hospitals at Leeds General Infirmary – including a dedicated children’s hospital.
The trust is one of six in the UK that will be given a share of £2.7bn worth of new money in a first wave of funding from the Treasury.
This is part of the Government’s new Health Infrastructure Plan, a rolling five-year programme of investment in health infrastructure, including capital to build new hospitals, modernise our primary care estate and invest in new diagnostics and technology.
The adults’ hospital will be state-of-the-art, with new theatres for day case procedures and added critical care facilities. The new children’s hospital will bring together services for children and young people in a building purpose-built for their needs – a first for Leeds.
Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Julian Hartley, described the announcement as “wonderful news.”
“This is an historic development in the future of patient care in Leeds and the wider region,” he continued. “This investment will enable the trust to take a huge leap forward in how it delivers care for patients from Leeds and beyond.
“The benefits of this funding will be far-reaching. Leeds is a renowned centre for specialist services, providing treatment and care for patients from across the region, the North of England in in some instances, the rest of the UK.
“We will be able to develop healthcare based on advanced medical and digital technologies, innovation and research.”
The trust noted that many of the buildings on the LGI site are not fit for modern healthcare, yet the it still has to spend large amounts every year to maintain them.
It adds the funding means it can develop a hospital site that is modern, environmentally sustainable and efficient. This in turn will free up more funds for direct patient care.
The hospitals’ development will release land and buildings to support the development of a new Innovation District for Leeds. Some, like the Grade I listed Gilbert Scott Building will be offered for sympathetic redevelopment to preserve their heritage for the city.
Linda Pollard, Chairman of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This is amazing news. It will be a significant investment in health services for patients from Leeds and the wider region and a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city of Leeds.
“It will help Leeds take a huge leap forward in developing an Innovation District, putting the city at the forefront of developing health-tech and research, and attracting investment, skills and jobs to our region.”
The trust has a number of stages to complete before it can start building the hospitals, but expects the build to take around three years once it is underway.
