The Trust said it has completed the first stage of preparatory work, including ground investigations and utilities surveys, and is now working on detailed designs ahead of submitting a planning application at the end of this month.
Although the hospital was not included in the government’s New Hospital Programme, which aims to modernise and rebuild NHS facilities nationwide, the Trust said it is exploring alternative ways to deliver the ‘desperately needed’ improvements.
A key part of this will involve replacing the hospital’s ageing tower block, though the Trust admitted this is likely to be a phased project, progressing only as funding becomes available.
A spokesperson said: “In the meantime, we continue to undertake essential maintenance work to ensure the safety of our patients and colleagues.
“We would like to thank everyone for their patience as we do our best to deliver outstanding care in an environment that we know is less than ideal.”
The hospital, on Queen Alexandra Road, is a concrete and steel-framed building, varying from one to three storeys in height, including some levels below ground.
In 2024, the NHS Trust was reported as having a £100m repairs backlog, more than 80 per cent relating to Wycombe Hospital.
The trust said the huge figure related to the age of its buildings and the cost of the continual upkeep of Wycombe Hospital’s tower, which is in a ‘poor condition’.
At that time, the trust stated: “The Wycombe Hospital site has an unaffordable backlog of maintenance requirements, around one hundred million pounds worth, £80 million of which is related to the tower.”
Repairs were made to the damaged concrete wall panels of the 1960s tower last year, with gutters and rainwater channels fitted in April 2024.
The update comes after concerns were raised by residents to Labour’s Emma Reynolds.
The Wycombe MP met with the CEO of the trust in October to ‘urgently discuss’ the future of the hospital.
She said: “I know many constituents are concerned about the future of Wycombe hospital.
“During my last meeting with the CEO of Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust, Neil Macdonald, I was encouraged to hear about their plans to develop the hospital.
“I have offered my steadfast support. We must not lose any additional services from our hospital.”
The government previously said the New Hospital Programme was ‘unfunded’ beyond 2025 but has committed to delivering all schemes that were previously proposed.