Frequently asked questions
What is the Our Future Hospital (OFH) programme?
OFH is the Royal Devon’s long-term plan to renew, refurbish and replace the parts of North Devon District Hospital (NDDH) that can no longer meet local needs. It was created after NDDH was included in the government’s New Hospital Programme. Our goal is simple: a safer, more modern hospital for northern Devon — one that works for patients, staff and our communities for decades to come.
Why does NDDH need investment?
Much of the hospital is over 50 years old. The buildings are worn out, too small and no longer support the modern NHS services local people rely on. Without investment, we risk:
- Cancelled operations and tests
- Longer waiting times
- More equipment and building failures
- Some services becoming unsafe to run locally
What happened to the “40 new hospitals” and the national New Hospital Programme?
The government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP) has faced national delays and funding pressures. A 2025 review pushed back many projects - including ours - meaning construction of our major new clinical building is now unlikely to begin before 2035.
We know this has created frustration locally. We share that frustration. But the programme has not stopped, and national funding is still available. Our approach now is to continue to bid for targeted funding opportunities and to be ready to move quickly if the money becomes available.
Does this mean northern Devon won’t get a new hospital?
No – though a completely new hospital was never the plan. From the start, the redevelopment has always been a combination of new clinical buildings and major improvements to the existing hospital, rather than a full replacement.
What has changed is the timeline, not the direction. The main clinical building is still planned and will be built onto the current hospital. This will create better connections across the site and ensure diagnostics - including MRI and other essential services - remain at the heart of our clinical care.
While the full redevelopment will take longer than hoped, we’re not standing still. We are actively applying for funding in areas where we know we can deliver quickly. For example, we are preparing our business case for funding to deliver a twin MRI suite to increase diagnostic capacity.
We might not be able to go ahead with our full redevelopment quite yet, but by seeking other opportunities in the meantime, we can still deliver real improvements that will benefit our patients and staff.
Why are you focusing on smaller projects instead of waiting for the big build?
Because waiting is not an option. Nationally, there are still opportunities for us to bid for targeted funding for the most urgent improvements needed. We want to be in the best possible position to capture that funding.
We may not be able to deliver our main clinical building yet, but by being ready with clear, costed, deliverable proposals, we increase our chances of securing investment that can make a difference now.
What improvements are happening right now?
Phase One of OFH is already underway. This includes:
- Construction of Taw View, our new short term on‑site staff and student accommodation, funded by £22.7m from the New Hospital Programme.
- Preparing a business case to secure funding for a twin MRI suite.
These projects show that progress is still possible, even though the national programme is delayed. Visit the ‘Roadmap to a new hospital’ page for more details.
What will the new, large clinical building include?
Our plans are fully developed and ready to go when funding is released. The new building will include:
- Modern, fit-for-purpose operating theatres
- A new intensive care unit
- Improved women’s and children’s services
- Better layouts, more space and easier access
These designs are flexible, future‑proofed and shaped by staff and patient feedback.
Why can’t the Trust fund this itself?
Major hospital rebuilds require national capital funding. Like all NHS trusts, we rely on government investment for large-scale construction. However, we are doing everything we can locally to strengthen our business cases and show the New Hospital Programme that NDDH is ready to deliver.
What can local people expect over the next few years?
You can expect:
- Continued enabling works on site
- Visible improvements such as new accommodation and infrastructure
- Lobbying for targeted investment
- Regular updates as national funding decisions evolve
How can I stay updated?
We will continue to share updates here on the Royal Devon website, as well as on our social media channels and through the local media.
If you’d like to receive our latest news and updates, you can sign up to receive our OFH newsletter by emailing rduh.ourfuturehospitalnddh@nhs.net.