University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (UHL) has received two early Christmas presents, with over £50million of funding approved to deliver exciting new projects which will shape the way patient care is delivered.
NHS England has given the green light for a new £12.8m Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at the Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI), with construction expected to start in the first quarter of 2026 ahead of a 2027 opening.
The national New Hospital Programme (NHP) has also approved £39m of funding for UHL to begin essential enabling works on its three hospital sites. The work will begin in early 2026 and is expected to finish in early 2028, paving the way for the main construction phase of the NHP in 2032.
Both investments are a major milestone in UHL’s journey to create modern, state of the art facilities that will further improve patient care and experience. They build on the work to expand our offering in the past 12 months, including the East Midlands Planned Care Centre and Endoscopy Unit at the Leicester General Hospital, the Preston Lodge rehabilitation unit in North Evington, and the Hinckley Community Diagnostic Centre. All are helping UHL to deliver world class services closer to where our patients live, a key part of the Government’s 10-year-plan.
A new Urgent Treatment Centre at the LRI
This modern, purpose-built facility will replace the current MIaMI (Minor Injuries and Minor Illnesses) service. The new UTC will play a vital role in providing the right care in the right location for patients who attend our Emergency Department, the busiest in the country.
Located next to the Medical Same Day Emergency Care (M-SDEC) unit, it will provide a better environment for patients and staff, including larger clinical rooms, diagnostic testing and appropriate facilities for both adults and children. A second storey will also be constructed for the future expansion of theatres.
Dr Saad Jawaid, Consultant in Emergency and Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine, said: “We’re excited to have had this funding approved by NHS England to create a purpose-built Urgent Treatment Centre to help further improve the experiences of patients who require urgent care but do not need the services of our Emergency Department.”
Enabling works for the New Hospital Programme (NHP)
Thanks to national NHP funding, UHL can begin crucial enabling works across its three acute hospital sites – the Leicester Royal Infirmary, the Glenfield Hospital and the Leicester General Hospital. Works include:
- Leicester Royal Infirmary: Relocation of services from Knighton Street, creating modern facilities for training staff, state-of-the-art laboratories for Immunology and Cytogenetics, expansion of inpatient Pharmacy services and administrative functions. Plans include a six-storey extension to the Windsor Building and refurbishment of space in the Victoria and Jarvis Buildings.
- Leicester General Hospital: Refurbishment of space in the East Midlands Planned Care Centre (EMPCC) to provide a purpose-built new home for the Hearing and Balance service.
- Glenfield Hospital: Refurbishment of Baldwin Lodge to accommodate Occupational Health teams currently based at LRI.
UHL Chief Executive, Richard Mitchell, said: “These two funding announcements are a fantastic Christmas present for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and they are welcome news for colleagues.
“The new Urgent Treatment Centre will make it easier for patients to access the right care quickly, reducing waiting times and improving their experience.
“The enabling works will mean we can move services and teams into purpose-built facilities and pave the way for the main construction phase of the NHP in 2032.
“Securing this funding is good news for everyone – colleagues, patients and partners – and is a big step forward in delivering our long-term vision to be leading in healthcare, trusted in communities.”
Natalie Forrest, Chief Operating Officer at the national New Hospital Programme, said: “This is very welcome news for the people of Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. This investment will allow University Hospitals of Leicester to begin vital enabling works across its hospital sites, laying the foundations for modern, high-quality facilities in the years ahead. The New Hospital Programme looks forward to working closely with the Trust as these important plans progress”.
More information on timeframes and relocation of services will be made available in the New Year. UHL is also looking for more opportunities to access capital funding to improve other areas of our estate.