Royal Liverpool University Hospital gets go ahead

ABC&D looks at the planned development of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, which has been given the go ahead by the new coalition government.

The Treasury has confirmed that the new Royal Liverpool University Hospital will go ahead.

Ending weeks of speculation following the announcement of a spending review.

The new Royal was originally given approval in March by the then Health Secretary, Andy Burnham.

Tony Bell, chief executive, said: "We're absolutely delighted that the new Royal has been confirmed by the coalition government".

"We have had a huge amount of support for the scheme and I'm really pleased that this removes uncertainty for our plans to create a state-of-the-art hospital, which will change the face of healthcare in Liverpool.

The NHS Trust has had a significant amount of support from patients, staff, local PCTs, local universities and Liverpool City Council.

We have also received a great deal of support from our local MPs and local media.

The new state-of-the-art hospital will be developed to replace the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, and will provide: All patient accommodation in en-suite, single rooms to improve infection control and offer more privacy A more welcoming and modern building, which is as secure and safe as possible More natural light and attractive interiors, using art and design features Improved access for public transport A more attractive and betterdesigned layout, with sensibly laid out wards and departments to improve the patient and visitor experience.

The Trust has consulted closely with patients, the public and staff in planning the new hospital to find out what they wanted from a new Royal.

Local people and patients will be encouraged to contribute to the ongoing plans and designs for the new hospital, including a new large.

landscaped area, about the same size of Chavasse Park, creating a permanent public park for the community.

Judith Greensmith, chair, said: "The people of Merseyside told us that they wanted a new hospital and we can now deliver the best possible building and services for them well into the future".

"It is local people who have made a new Royal possible".

"We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to local people and our partner organisations for their continued support for the new Royal".

""The new Royal will be a landmark building for Liverpool and means that we can continue to lead the way when it comes to research and innovation.

Tony Bell added: "The new Royal allows us to provide healthcare in a 21st century building, with improved standards for clinical research facilities.

This is part of a much broader vision for Liverpool and the city region".

""The new hospital represents a crucial step towards the development of a biocampus on site, developing new treatments through research and a hub for the future of health science research in the north-west".

"It will link academia, industry and health, researching new medicines, which will improve patient care and outcomes, have economic benefits and help to create jobs.

Liverpool sits at the centre of one of the most successful pharma and biomedical clusters in Europe, contributing about GBP1bn to the local economy.

The Trust is working with the Universities and local authorities to harness this capability and capacity through the development of the Royal site as a biocampus.

This will be co-located with the universities in the heart of the city's Knowledge Quarter.

The Trust has already begun the next phase of the project.

In April, it held an open day, which over 50 representatives of companies and consortia attended.

The Trust has now received four expressions of interest from major consortia which is very encouraging and very positive.

The Trust is currently short-listing the four consortia who have expressed an interest in the scheme.

Once shortlisted, the Trust will ask consortia to use local labour, materials and sub-contractors, as much as possible, meaning that the new Royal's construction will bring jobs and business to Merseyside.

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