New £1bn-plus Crewe hospital moves forward with committee approval
A new hospital in Crewe is a step closer after a government joint investment committee approved Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust's Strategic Outline Case (SOC).
The SOC is the first of three business cases the Trust is required to complete before the construction of the new Leighton can begin.
The second business case is currently being developed by the Trust's Healthier Futures team, which is responsible for the delivery of the new hospital programme.
The Outline Business Case assesses the best option for delivering the strategic objectives and benefits within the resource envelope available. This will be submitted to the New Hospital Programme team in autumn 2026.
The final business case, called the Full Business Case, will be agreed in early-2028 and provides the in-depth designs, final value for money evidence, and detailed arrangements for construction and handover of the new hospital.
Russ Favager, the Trust's Board Senior Responsible Officer for Leighton New Hospital Programme, said: "This is a fantastic milestone for mid Cheshire and a real vote of confidence in our vision for a new Leighton Hospital.
"The Healthier Futures team has worked tirelessly to get us to this point, and we're thrilled that the Joint Investment Committee has given its approval.
"But this is just the beginning. Our determination to deliver a modern, fit-for-the-future hospital for the people of mid Cheshire and beyond has never been stronger.
"Alongside developing the Outline Business Case, we're also preparing a planning application that will be submitted to Cheshire East Council in December 2025.
"Importantly, we want local people to help shape this once in a generation project. Before the application goes in, we will be sharing our proposals widely and inviting feedback.
"This is about building a hospital together, one that truly reflects the needs of our patients, staff, and communities for decades to come. We'll be able to announce full details about this engagement activity in the next few weeks."
The New Hospital Programme's Joint Investment Committee formally approved the SOC on Wednesday 10 September, subject to a number of conditions being met at both the planning and Outline Business Case stage.
The new Leighton will be built on the land to the north of the existing hospital site. The Trust bought this land in 2024.
Construction work is expected to begin in summer 2028, with the new hospital set to open during the 2031/32 financial year.
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