Eight new hospitals to be built in England

The Department of Health and Social Care has announced the launch of a selection process for eight new hospitals in England.

The government made a manifesto commitment of 40 new hospitals across England by 2030, backed by an initial £3.7 billion of investment. These will provide better care for patients, an improved working environment for staff and help the NHS reach its net zero carbon ambition.

The national programme comprises eight pre-existing schemes and 40 new hospitals, totalling 48 hospitals. In October 2020, the government named 32 hospitals which will form part of the 40 new hospitals and is now calling for NHS trusts to submit their expressions of interest to be one of the final eight hospitals.

A new ‘Our NHS Buildings’ website has also launched, which will be the official home of the government’s major NHS infrastructure projects across the country, including new hospital builds and upgrades.

Expressions of interest are invited by September from all mental health, community and acute NHS trusts who wish their plans to be considered. Later this year there will be a more detailed second stage process for long-listed schemes, with a final decision expected in spring 2022.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our plans to deliver 40 new hospitals across the country by 2030 will help us build a better NHS and transform NHS services for local communities. The selection process for the further eight new schemes is a huge opportunity for more areas to benefit from the biggest hospital building programme in a generation, and I encourage trusts to apply. We will take forward the bold and ambitious plans to improve care, level up investment and prioritise sustainable design.”