PLANS to rebuild the Royal Liverpool Hospital have taken a major leap forward after the £369m project was given approval by NHS North West.

This was the last regional hurdle the new hospital had to clear before the plans could be submitted to the Government.

Approval from the Department of Health and Treasury is needed before the new hospital can move on to the next phase of development, which is to secure a construction partner.

It is hoped Whitehall will be able to complete its review of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital Trust’s outline business case (OBC) by December.

The new hospital has already been given formal approval by the primary care trusts (PCTs) for Liverpool, Sefton, and Knowsley. The OBC sets out the Trust’s preferred option to build a new hospital to replace the existing Royal Liverpool Hospital.

This was approved at a board meeting of NHS North West, the region’s Strategic Health Authority.

Chair of the Royal, Judith Greensmith, said: “This is great news for us, for our patients and for the city of Liverpool.

“We are delighted to have received the support of NHS North West, which means we can move forward with our plans for a new hospital.”