PATIENTS have returned to Launceston Hospital as a major building improvement programme nears completion.

Beds at the facility were closed in September to allow hospital owners, NHS Property Services, to carry out upgrade works to the roof, windows and flooring, resurfacing of sections of the car park, demolition of some outbuildings and external works.

An extra treatment bay has also been created in the minor injury unit (MIU), expanding the capacity of the facility.

The package of work represents a £440,000 investment in the facility and provides a significantly upgraded building for healthcare services provided by Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Julian Alexander, senior construction manager at NHS Property Services, said: “This project demonstrates how we are investing in improving Cornish hospitals to benefit patients and meet the needs of our local NHS partners.

“The estate we inherited in 2013 was suffering from decades of under-investment and in the last two years we have spent more than £2-million on upgrade projects. We are also working with local NHS partners to prioritise further investment in years to come.”

Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust reopened the 19 inpatient beds on November 13 and have moved into the new MIU while other services, including outpatient and dental clinics, continue to run as normal.

Su Buse, matron at Launceston Hospital, said: “It’s fantastic — we’re really pleased NHS Property Services has completed these improvements, which are already making a real difference to patients and clinicians.

“We’re delighted to be getting back to normal at Launceston and reopen the in-patient beds ready for the busy winter period.”

Further programmed works within the upgrade package are continuing as planned and are due to be completed in December 2017.

Further improvement and upgrade schemes across Cornwall are planned, as part of a rolling capital programme of investment in the estate.