Due for completion in March 2012, the refurbishment projects are being delivered alongside a larger one for the hospital's oncology department, which aims to expand cancer services and ensure they remain the best in the country, and to place the cancer unit among those of the best hospitals in Europe.
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Work has commenced, involving the decommissioning of requisite areas in order to allow the new facilities to be constructed.
A particular challenge of the project is working within a 'live' environment: there can be no impact on the hospital's activities from the construction operations. Negative pressure working environments have been created to prevent dust migration from internal construction areas, and deliveries of materials and equipment are being managed around incoming ambulances.
Commenting on this element of the work, Margaret McGloin, Deputy Director of Planning at the Trust said: "Interserve is working hard to minimise the disruption to clinical services and always considers the needs of our staff and patients to be paramount. The professional attitude of the team and its willingness to consider and, more crucially, understand the needs of our patients is helping to establish a healthy working relationship."
The upgraded facilities will dramatically improve the overall quality of services available to the local community. In addition, Interserve is continuing to create jobs for local people, work for local businesses and regeneration for the North East.
(CD)
