Warrington and Halton hospital strategy would cost £410m 

The local NHS trust is seeking £317m from the government to build a new facility in Warrington town centre and £93m to revamp Halton General Hospital in Runcorn. 

Last year, Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust lodged a preliminary bid as part of the government’s £3.8bn New Hospitals Programme. 

The vision for Warrington Hospital is to create a new-build facility on the existing Lovely Lane site or elsewhere in the town centre. 

The trust wants the hospital to be a hub for acute non‐elective care, a report to Warrington Council’s health scrutiny committee said. 

In addition, the hospital would be “the focal point of a wider health and wellbeing campus”, created through the replacement of ageing and outdated facilities. 

In Halton, the redeveloped hospital would “become an outstanding place for elective care”, the council said. 

The dated main hospital building would be replaced with a new wing, while released land would be used to create a well-being campus and around 200 homes. 

In a report updating on the status of the plan, the authority revealed the total cost of the two projects would be £410m and that the trust’s plan was “successfully prioritised as joint number one for investment across Cheshire and Merseyside”. 

A national steering group will convene in January 2022 to review all of the prioritised schemes across all regions and make recommendations for a shortlist, the council said. 

Warrington Hospital, P.Google Earth 0

The existing Warrington Hospital site could be redeveloped. Credit: Google Earth

A decision on the successful bids will be made in spring. 

Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust was one of several in the North West to bid for a share of the government’s £3.8bn New Hospitals pot. 

Stockport NHS Foundation Trust has asked for £500m to build a new town centre hospital on the site of the former Debenhams store. The facility would replace the ageing Stepping Hill.  

Meanwhile, in Crewe, Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has bid for £663m to replace the ageing Leighton Hospital with a new one delivered in phases on the same site. 

Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has asked for £100m to revamp Arrowe Park Hospital. 

The government has promised to deliver 40 upgrade or new hospitals by 2030 under its £3.8bn New Hospitals Programme.  

Money has already been given out for 32 new-build projects and the programme is actively looking for another eight to sponsor. 

Stockport, Mid Cheshire, Wirral and Warrington trusts are all vying to be selected as one of the final eight hospitals. 

Among the 32 new-build hospitals that have received funding are North Manchester General Hospital and Royal Preston and Lancaster Royal Infirmary.

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Thank you for your information and two visual pictures of Warrington Hospital. I feel sure the people of Halton would appreciate a similar view?

By Dave Cargill

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below