New Leighton Hospital in Crewe Projected to Be UK’s Most Digitally Advanced

An announcement is anticipated for a new hospital, which its leadership asserts will be the United Kingdom’s most digitally advanced. Chris Knights, programme director at Mid Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, confirmed that the New Leighton Hospital in Crewe will be situated on land adjacent to the current facility and will cover an area equivalent to approximately 15 football pitches. Plans are scheduled for submission in April, with construction targeted to commence by the close of 2026. Mr Knights stated that the current hospital would be dismantled once the new one is prepared to receive patients. He also indicated a longer-term expectation to establish a campus for additional health-related services, rather than divesting the land for residential purposes. The new hospital is projected to incorporate an additional 50 beds, increasing the total capacity to 600. Its advanced digital infrastructure is viewed as a crucial factor in attracting new personnel. Furthermore, Mr Knights mentioned that all patients would be accommodated in single en-suite rooms. “There’s a really strong body of evidence that’s coming out at the moment around single rooms and how falls can be managed in that space,” he commented. He referenced a healthcare facility in Harrogate, where a ward achieved savings of £57,000 over a year through the implementation of remote monitoring. Mr Knights explained: “We have an ability, through video technology and also pressure pads in the floor, to be able to know when a patient needs assistance.” He further noted that out-patients would experience a substantial alteration, with the absence of a waiting room. Patients would check in using a smartphone, or volunteers would provide assistance upon their arrival. While concerns were voiced regarding potential patient isolation in single rooms, Mr Knights affirmed that shared communal areas would be available within the wards. He also stated that services would not be affected during the construction period, and he anticipated that the relocation from the existing to the new hospital would require approximately two weeks once the facility is complete. This report was compiled by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, an entity that covers local government bodies and other public service organizations. Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.