An artist’s impression of the new Outpatients entrance
Patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital are to benefit from a new £408,000 outpatients area.
Work starts this week on the development, which was given the green light after £200,000 was donated to the scheme by the hospital charity Blue Skies Hospitals Fund.
The scheme will modernise the current outpatients area at the hospital with a new entrance and reception area that is far more inviting than at present.
It will also help patients find their way around the hospital easier with one dedicated reception area which will be supported by the Trust’s volunteers.
Doug Garrett, Chairman of Blue Skies’ Charitable Funds Committee, said: “Blue Skies has been able to make this large contribution to the outpatients development thanks to an extremely generous legacy which has been left to the charity.
“This scheme just proves how important the charity is to the Trust’s work, and how all donations from Blue Skies are used purely to benefit patients and to make their visit to hospital as stress-free as possible.
“We are looking forward to seeing the results of this donation, and how it will benefit all patients coming to the outpatients department for years to come.”
Wendy Swift, Chief Executive (Interim) at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is another exciting development for patients at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.
“The current outpatients area is in need of modernisation and we are confident that the new development will make it a far better place for our patients. Staff have been involved in the design process and everything has been done with the patient in mind as we aim to make it a far more pleasant experience.’’
She added: “The development could not have taken place without the fabulous support of our charity, Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, which has backed this scheme from the beginning.’’
Access to Outpatient clinics and the main hospital will be maintained throughout the building scheme.