I am thrilled to announce a landmark decision by the government to proceed with the land acquisition for a new-build hospital here in Lancaster! This is a pivotal moment for our community, one that is long overdue.

We were promised a new hospital five years ago under the last government’s New Hospitals Programme. As the Victorian buildings and infrastructure at the infirmary have been buckling under the pressure of high demand and high maintenance costs, frustratingly the new hospital plans have hit delay after delay.

Secretary of State for the Department of Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting added:

“I am delighted to approve the purchasing of this land. I know from the number of times Cat has raised this in the House of Commons and in meetings with me that people in Lancaster are desperate for a new, modern hospital. Cat and the other local MPs made it clear we had to act quickly to secure this land, which is a significant step towards providing patients here with the health service they deserve.

The New Hospitals Programme we inherited from the Conservatives was years behind schedule and the funding runs out in March, so we are having the review the programme and work up a realistic and deliverable timetable. We’re not going to lead people up the garden path only to let them down, as the Conservatives did. This government is committed to being honest with the public and to rebuilding our NHS.”

Pressure has been mounting due to deterioration of the situation at the hospital as well as the time sensitive nature of land acquisition for the new site. Clinical staff have been overstretched and have expressed they have felt forgotten, whilst the last government refused to provide clarity over the future of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

After years of relentless campaigning, I’m delighted that the Labour government has officially given the green-light on the land purchase for a new-build hospital in Lancaster.

The delays and unfunded pledges of the last government for 40 new hospitals has left our community in limbo for far too long, but I and others have not wavered in determination to get Lancaster and the surrounding communities, the new-build hospital it deserves.

Today’s announcement is a game-changer. It shows that in just a few months of Labour leadership, fundamental progress is being made. This decision provides certainty about the future of healthcare in Lancaster and sets the foundation for better services for generations to come.

With inflation spiking under Liz Truss’ government, last year’s economic recession, and inheriting a huge black hole in the country’s finances, an incoming Labour government has an incredibly tough job ahead to rebuild the country and our NHS, let alone meet the expectations of unfunded Tory pledges.

But the case in Lancaster is clear. The RLI was a Victorian masterpiece but is not fit for the 21st Century. With a new-build hospital for the area, I’m hopeful that the health and economic benefits will be felt right across the district and beyond.