March 5, 2018 1.15 pm This story is over 72 months old

Almost £4m invested in Lincolnshire community hospital building improvements

Community hospital improvements.

Photo: ULHT

Lincolnshire community hospitals will receive more upgrades thanks to a £3.7 million investment programme.

A major programme of fire protection works is already underway at County Hospital (Louth), John Coupland Hospital (Gainsborough), and Skegness Hospital, with fire alarm system and signal improvements among the work completed so far.

NHS Property Services (NHSPS), which owns the hospital, and Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trusts (LCHS) will now deliver an extra package of building improvements, with work set to continue into summer 2018.

This will include further fire safety improvements and ward layout remodelling, as well as new windows, roofing and other building repairs.

Deputy chief executive and director of workforce and transformation at LCHS, Maz Fosh, said: “We are very pleased to see this significant investment. We are working closely with NHSPS to prioritise the remaining work and ensure minimal disruption to patient care.

“Patient safety is our priority and our commitment to returning to our original bed capacity in Louth remains.

“We are carrying out regular reviews with a view to gradually increasing the number of beds available as work is completed.

“The additional work, as well as improving the environment for patients and visitors, gives us better use of the space for larger and more specialist equipment.”

Principal construction manager for the East at NHSPS, Sean Perry, added: “We are making the most of having contractors on site to invest in further improvements at the hospitals which will improve the environment for patients.

“We’d like to thank the local NHS teams and patients at the hospitals for their help and understanding during the work programme.”

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue service is also being consulted on fire protection works and services continue to operate as normal from all the hospitals.