Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

29/01/2026

Recognising Stroke Prevention Day today, we are pleased to confirm that from Monday 2 February 2026, there will be a 24/7 thrombectomy service at Royal Preston Hospital, which is important for improving stroke outcomes for people in Lancashire and South Cumbria.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability. Mechanical thrombectomy is a highly effective treatment for some acute ischemic strokes caused by blockage in a blood vessel in the brain.

Find out more, including FAQs on our website ⬇️
https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/news/article/862

28/01/2026

⚠️ Service update

Our hospitals continue to face very high levels of demand, but we have now stepped down to Operations Pressure Escalation Level (OPEL) Level 3 at both Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital.

Although this is a positive step, our services are still under extreme pressure. We are working hard to improve the situation, including supporting the safe and timely discharge of patients in partnership with health and care colleagues across the system.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while our clinical teams restore our services to operational capacity.

Thank you to all our colleagues for their unwavering dedication and commitment to putting patients first during these challenging times.

Find out more ⬇️
https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/news/article/861

28/01/2026

Could you help shape the future of your local hospitals?

Nominations are now open for our 2026 Council of Governors Elections, and we’re encouraging anyone passionate about improving local healthcare to put themselves forward.

Our Governors play a vital role in making sure the voices of patients, staff and the wider community are represented when important decisions are made about how our services evolve. It’s a rewarding voluntary position and a chance to contribute to meaningful, positive change.

This year, we’re seeking candidates for:

Seven public governor vacancies
Three staff governor vacancies

🗳️ Nominations close: Tuesday 3 February 2026

Find out more about the role and how to apply ⬇️
https://lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/election-to-the-council-of-governors-2026

27/01/2026

Due to increased pressures across our sites (Royal Preston Hospital and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital), for the second time in recent weeks, we have taken the decision to escalate to the highest level of alert. This allows us to be able to take additional steps to maintain safe services for our patients and help us cope with the growing demands.

Operations Pressure Escalation Levels (OPEL) is a method used by the NHS to measure the stress, demand and pressure a hospital is under, with OPEL 4 representing the highest escalation level. We are currently at OPEL 4.

As always, patient safety must take priority and we need to take action to make sure that those who are more clinically urgent get the help they need as quickly as possible.

There are some immediate actions being taken by Trust teams and our partners.

Our hospitals are extremely busy so please make sure that you choose the right NHS service for your needs. If you're not sure which service is right for you, call 111 or visit https://111.nhs.uk

A huge thank you to all our colleagues, who are working exceptionally hard under pressure.
Find out more on our website here ⬇️

https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/news/article/860

26/01/2026

Lancashire Teaching Hospitals’ Dr Huw Twamley has been appointed as the interim National Medical Examiner (NME) for England and Wales.

This prestigious role recognises his leadership and dedication to improving standards, transparency and learning across the NHS. Dr Twamley will now support 126 Medical Examiner offices and thousands of ME professionals across the country.

👏 A huge congratulations to Dr Twamley - a fantastic achievement and an important step forward for patient safety and bereavement support.

Read the full story on our website ⬇️
https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/news/article/859

26/01/2026

A huge thank you to Louise Ashford, who sold beautiful handmade bracelets and phone charms, raising an incredible £906.25 for our Critical Care Unit (CRCU) at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, in memory of her husband, Mark 🙏🧡

Louise chose to fundraise following the amazing care her husband received in our Critical Care Unit. She shared: “It was an honour to raise funds for this charity. This is a cause close to my heart, as the staff in the critical care unit looked after my husband with the utmost care and respect, they do an incredible job.”

We are so grateful for your support, Louise. Fundraising in memory of a loved one is such a meaningful way to give back, and your support will make a real difference to patients and families cared for by our Critical Care team 🥰

23/01/2026

ℹ️ From Monday 26 January 2026, Ward 23’s Respiratory unit and Ward 20’s Respiratory Enhanced Care beds will be permanently relocated to Ward 19 at Royal Preston Hospital.

Ward 19, located on floor 4 of the main ward block, has been closed for some time to allow for extensive refurbishment and improvement works.

Going forward, Ward 19 will be known as the ‘Respiratory Ward and Respiratory Support Unit (RSU)’ and will provide an improved environment for patients and clinicians for the treatment of respiratory conditions.

As part of the move, the service will also see the establishment of a Respiratory Assessment Unit (RAU), which will aim to shift appropriate inpatient admissions to ambulatory care, reducing unnecessary hospital stays, complications associated with admission, and improve overall length of stay.

The creation of integrated pathways across the RAU and virtual ward will move care closer to home, improve patient experience and benefit early supported discharge and admission avoidance.

This move will help to ensure patients receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place to reduce the overall length of stay.

21/01/2026

From China to Preston, via Pakistan and the United States - Dr Naveed Ullah Khan’s journey to Royal Preston Hospital is one defined by resilience, talent and an unwavering commitment to care.

Arriving in the UK in 2023 for his first NHS role, Naveed has since achieved extraordinary progress: completing MRCP (UK) and the Neurology SCE at remarkable speed, contributing to major MND research trials, teaching medical students and juniors, and supporting patients across Preston and Chorley.

All while balancing full-time clinical work and caring for his son, who has severe autism.

💬 His humility says it all:
“I am an ordinary person… You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start.”

Read the full story of Dr Naveed’s inspiring journey on our website. ⬇️
https://www.lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/news/article/857

21/01/2026

Could you be the voice of your community?

Nominations for our 2026 Council of Governors Elections are now open, and we’re inviting anyone who would like to play an active part in shaping local hospital services to consider standing.

Governors help ensure that the views of patients, colleagues and the wider public are heard when decisions are made about how our services develop. It’s a meaningful voluntary role and a great opportunity to support positive change.

This year, we have seven public vacancies and three staff vacancies across our constituencies.

🗳️ Nominations close: Tuesday 3 February 2026

Find out more and how to apply:
https://lancsteachinghospitals.nhs.uk/election-to-the-council-of-governors-2026

19/01/2026

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health. When you stop, you'll experience health benefits almost immediately.

It's never too late to quit.

🚭 https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking/

19/01/2026

⚠️ Temporary Parking Notice

Some disabled bays in Car Park B at Royal Preston Hospital will be closed for essential maintenance ⚒️ on Tuesday 20 January, between 6am–12pm.

Thank you for your patience while we carry out this work.

15/01/2026