Publish date: 17 December 2025
Here’s a message from Chris Knights, Programme Director for Healthier Futures, as he reflects on the programme’s achievements in 2025.
This time last year in my 2024 review, I reflected on what an incredible year that had been, and how grateful I was to work with a team of professionals dedicated to delivering what will be the biggest infrastructure investment in mid Cheshire for over 50 years.
Now, in December 2025, I’m deeply proud of the phenomenal progress the Healthier Futures programme has made in these past 12 months. Progress that could not have happened without the crucial involvement of the wider Trust staff, our local partners, stakeholders, communities, and the New Hospital Programme (NHP). I know people are facing their own operational and financial pressures, so I’m deeply grateful for everyone’s involvement.
We began the year with news of government support after the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, delivered a statement to the House of Commons where support was given to rebuild hospitals, including Leighton Hospital.
While our scheme is part of the New Hospital Programme, it was not included in a review of the programme. The government had previously said the programme is exempt due to Leighton Hospital being one of seven RAAC (reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete) hospitals. But during his statement, Mr Streeting said: “Outside the scope of the review were the seven hospitals built wholly or mostly from RAAC. These will be rebuilt at pace to protect people’s safety.”
This meant our programme became part of the ‘Wave 1’ schemes.
Then in the spring, the Department of Health and Social Care rubber-stamped our capital funding for the new hospital. In a letter to the Trust, Health Minister Karin Smyth confirmed funding available for schemes in the first wave of the New Hospital Programme, including Leighton Hospital.
In September, we took a major step forward after a government joint investment committee approved our Strategic Outline Case (SOC), subject to a number of conditions being met at both the planning and Outline Business Case (OBC) stage. Work on the OBC is now in full flow and we are on track to submit this in autumn 2026.
This year we also began a series of work on and around the site of the new hospital.
In February, engineers undertook critical ground investigation work to help inform the design of the foundations of the planned new hospital.
Then in May, engineers carried out a series of tests to better understand the potential for the future installation of renewable technologies. The Thermal Response Test analysed the thermal conductivity of the ground for geothermal systems, such as ground source heat pumps.
A significant infrastructure programme began in June. To facilitate the future construction of the hospital, SP Energy Networks (SPEN) began installing high-voltage electrical cabling along several key routes in the area surrounding Leighton Hospital.
Then last month, construction work officially started on a critical infrastructure development. The work will see the building of a new electrical substation enclosure, providing the required resilient power for the new net zero hospital. This substation will provide the infrastructure required to bring all the necessary power onto the site by November 2027.
Last week, we formally submitted a planning application for the new hospital to Cheshire East Council.
Other 2025 highlights include completing the 1:500, which depicts the overall building footprint, site layout, general massing, orientation, and how the building sits within its wider environment. Meanwhile, work has started on the 1:200 design engagement, which is aimed at reviewing and agreeing the proposed layouts and locations of the departments in the new hospital, before progressing to detailed room-level design. This is a key stage where operational, clinical, and strategic alignment is tested.
This year, we also significantly ramped up our engagement work to maintain our commitment of speaking and listening to people about our plans. That’s why over the past year members of the Healthier Futures team have been out and about to provide updates at dozens of locations, events, and meetings.
Meanwhile, our social value programme has led to job creation, investment in local and regional communities, educational opportunities and donations to good causes. We recently published the first annual social impact report, which highlights how major investment delivers improvements for local people, long before the construction of the new Leighton Hospital begins.
I have no doubt that 2026 will be another immense and exciting year on this shared journey of delivering one of the most digitally advanced hospitals in the UK. A hospital that will sit at the heart of our ambition to create a health and care neighbourhood.
We will continue to work with our colleagues, partners and communities to ensure a healthier future for the people of Mid Cheshire and beyond.
Merry Christmas and happy New Year from myself and everyone in the Healthier Futures team.
