Greater Lancashire Hospital (GLH) has been granted planning permission to commence construction work on the final phase of its state-of-the-art £1.5m annex.
The new building – which will operate in unison with the hospital’s original adjacent site in Preston – will substantially increase the capacity of NHS patients it can welcome from across the North West when it opens in spring 2025.
Greater Lancashire Hospital was recently added to the NHS Choose & Book NHS e-Referral system which was introduced to maximise patient choice.
The Ribbleton hospital has now received the green light from Preston City Council to build a large glass atrium at the front of its new annex (pictured is the artist’s impression) increase the size of windows in the same building and construct a new energy efficiency resource hub to one side.
In addition, the family-owned hospital has received permission to create a new entrance on Longridge Road and to increase the number of free parking spaces available to patients from 35 to 60.
These developments follow the successful conclusion of ‘Phase One’ earlier this summer, which resulted in the fit-out of the annex’s new ultrasound suite, dedicated teleradiology suite, seven consulting rooms and a reception to the clinical suite.
The original Greater Lancashire Hospital has been transforming the health of locally-based NHS and private patients since it was founded by Preston-headquartered entrepreneurs Sara and Gwam Rajiah in 2014.
Gwam Rajiah, executive chairman of Greater Lancashire Hospital, said: “We’re creating a state-of-the-art, purpose-built hospital at the North West’s heart – and that’s fabulous for patients as well as this region’s medical professionals.
“Our new annex will ensure that the very best diagnostics and treatment are available to even more NHS and private patients precisely when this is required.”
Mr Rajiah expects the new facility will create at least 50 new clinical roles and an additional 20 clerical roles when it opens next spring.
The plans for the new 10,000 sq ft annex, which occupies the former Synetics building, have been drawn up by Preston-based architects RPS Design Group.
The building work is being overseen by Greater Lancashire Hospital’s director of investment and development, Myles Rajiah, who said: “This is the final phase of the annex’s development, and we expect work to commence imminently and last until next spring.
“The new entrance on Longridge Road will transform the accessibility of both our existing hospital as well as the new annex and we also intend to landscape the grounds to ensure the greatest visual appeal from the moment patients arrive.”
