Local residents will play a key role in shaping the Royal United Hospital’s bid to secure up to £450 million in Government funding.  Simon Cook, the trust’s new Hospital Programme Director, said it wanted to lock in learning from the Covid-19 pandemic, use technology and allow more patients to be treated at home. 

The RUH was one of 21 trusts to be selected to bid for a share of £3.7 bn, but he is expecting stiff competition. 

The trust plans to use a £42 million chunk of the funding to complete the Dyson Cancer Centre, and is also planning to build a new midwifery unit and clear its £50 million maintenance backlog. 

Mr Cook told Scrutiny Councillors on March 9th: “There’s £3.7 billion available over the next four years for hospitals. We’ve just spent over 100 times that as a country during Covid.

“We’re very conscious of the need for us to move quickly and take advantage of the funding that’s available. Our priority is to put in that bid. 

“We want to work with the community and local population to shape that bid.”

Stephen Sumner, LDRS