Public invited to share views on Leighton Hospital rebuild

Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has announced three public engagement sessions to share details of plans for the new Leighton Hospital.

This comes as the Government confirmed that seven hospitals built with reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC), including Leighton, will be ‘replaced as a priority’ and spared from the Chancellor’s spending review.

Chris Knights, programme director for the trust’s Healthier Futures Programme, said: “We are fully committed to involving the public, partners, and stakeholders in our plans.

“This is an exciting time, as we have a once in a generation opportunity to change how healthcare is delivered, so I would encourage people to attend the events and be part of this shared journey.

“We want to work together with our local communities to create a new healthcare model, a place where people receive care in their homes and communities and can access services or go to hospital when they need to.

“It will be a place where resources are utilised well, and people are actively involved in their care. A place where technology, digital and data will help both proactive and personalised care be more effective, a place where we look after each other, we collaborate, where people join forces to improve the whole.

“A place of 'Healthier Futures' for people across Mid Cheshire.”

Earlier this year, plans to develop a new Leighton Hospital reached a significant milestone as the trust purchased land directly next to the existing hospital site.

The trust then submitted a Strategic Outline Case (SOC), supported by Cheshire and Merseyside Integrated Care Board, to the national New Hospital Programme (NHP) team.

The SOC, which is the initial business case for the development of the new Leighton Hospital, has now been endorsed by the NHP, so the trust is now moving forward with the next stage of the project, the Outline Business Case.

Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper met with Health Secretary Wes Streeting earlier this month (Image: Supplied)

It had been feared that a spending review into the projects promised as part of the previous Conservative government’s New Hospitals Programme could hinder plans for Leighton.

However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting confirmed that seven hospitals built with RAAC would not be subject to this review, news which has been welcomed by Mid Cheshire MP Andrew Cooper.

“I am delighted to confirm that the rebuild of Leighton Hospital is going ahead,” said Mr Cooper.

“On behalf of myself and Crewe MP Connor Naismith, I want to thank the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care for listening to our concerns and appreciating how much this means to residents in the Cheshire area.

“The RAAC concrete scandal has gone on for too long, which has caused uncertainty for staff and patients.

“There is no clearer sign of the damage the Conservatives have done to our NHS than the crumbling hospital buildings that patients in Mid Cheshire are being treated in, and I am proud that this Labour Government will put that right.”

Three public engagement sessions will take place in October, allowing people to put questions to the Healthier Futures programme team and provide feedback on the scheme and how it will impact them.

The first will be on Thursday (October 3) at St Peter's Community Hall in Leighton-cum-Minshull Vernon between 10am and midday.

The Coppenhall Working Mens Club on North Street, Crewe, will host the second session, on Monday (October 7) from 5.30pm to 7.30pm.

Members of the public will have a final chance to share their views at Coppenhall Methodist Church on Bradfield Road, Crewe, from 11am to 1pm on Saturday (October 12).

Anyone unable to attend these events can visit www.healthierfutures.mcht.nhs.uk or email engaginghealthierfutures@mcht.nhs.uk.