The NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) is inviting people to have their say on exciting proposals to improve healthcare services in Lutterworth.

A public consultation launched today by the local NHS responds to the changing needs of people in Lutterworth by significantly expanding the number of health services available in Feilding Palmer Hospital on Gilmorton Road, increasing the number of appointments to approximately 17,000 every year.

Dr Graham Johnson, GP and senior partner at Wycliffe Medical Practice in Lutterworth, said: “The population of Lutterworth and surrounding areas is expected to grow by 40 per cent in the next 10 years, and this growth will bring with it greater demand for health services for people of working age.

“Founded in 1899, Fielding Palmer Hospital is a much-loved hospital in the Lutterworth community, but sadly it is no longer fit to provide 21st Century services. Our vision is to provide high quality and modern services closer to home and these proposals will help realise that vision in Lutterworth.”

The increase in services would be achieved by using the space in the existing hospital in a different way.  The proposals include:

  • changing the use of the current space in Feilding Palmer Hospital to provide outpatient and diagnostic services, replacing the current 10 inpatient beds
  • increasing the number of outpatient services (where people visit a hospital for a diagnosis or treatment, but do not need to stay overnight) to approximately 17,000 appointments per year, covering more than 25 branches of medicine
  • reducing travelling times and the miles people travel to receive health care, by approximately 200,000 miles per year
  • in time, creating a Lutterworth Health Campus on Gilmorton Road, Lutterworth to provide additional health and care services, including mental health, optometry, dentistry, GP practices and local authority services.

These plans are specifically designed to respond to the expected growth in demand for local services, as a result of the 2,700 new homes being built in the future, as well as improving support to people who need physical and mental health services and providing more services closer to people’s homes.

David Williams, group director of strategy and partnerships for Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: “Making these changes will mean more services available to residents of Lutterworth and the surrounding areas, reducing the distance people have to travel for treatment and avoiding costly car parking charges. Overall, it will be better for patients and better for the environment.”

Sarah Prema, chief strategy and planning officer for the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, added: “I would really encourage people to get involved. This is your chance to find out more about what is being proposed and have your say about some of the health services in Lutterworth, to help the local NHS understand what the proposed changes would mean for you and your family, so that we can make a final decision.

“We will be holding public drop-in events and there is a questionnaire that you can complete. We look forward to hearing your views on this exciting development.”

People have until Sunday 14 January 2023 to share their views and full details are available online at www.haveyoursaylutterworth.co.uk.  Alternatively, people can:

  • complete a paper copy of the questionnaire available in venues across Lutterworth or by calling: 0116 295 7572 or emailing: llricb-llr.beinvolved@nhs.net
  • write to: Freepost Plus RUEE–ZAUY–BXEG, Lutterworth consultation, Leicestershire and Rutland Integrated Care Board, Room G30, Pen Lloyd Building, Leicestershire County Council, Leicester Road, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8TB.

There will also be a series of drop-in events which people can attend:

  • Lutterworth Library, George Street, Lutterworth LE17 4ED
    Drop-in sessions for support to complete the questionnaire.
    Every Thursday throughout the consultation, 10am – 1pm (except 9th November, 28th December, and 4th January)
  • Lutterworth Sports Centre, Coventry Rd, Lutterworth LE17 4RB
    Drop-in session to ask questions or receive support to complete the questionnaire.
    Monday 6 November, 2pm – 7pm
  • Wycliffe Rooms (Main Hall), George Street, Lutterworth LE17 4ED
    Drop-in session to ask questions or receive support to complete the questionnaire.
    Thursday 7 December, 10am – 2pm