Several current and former MPs were given a special progress update of the new state of the art ‘Phase 8’ development at Burnley General Teaching Hospital.
Following an invitation from bosses at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust (ELHT), MPs Jake Berry (Rossendale and Darwen), Julie Cooper (Burnley) and Andrew Stephenson (Pendle), along with former Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle, spent time (more than two hours) meeting staff and touring the construction site close to the hospital’s Casterton Avenue entrance.
Construction of the new £15.6 million development - known officially as ‘Phase 8’ – began in April and remains on schedule for completion in Autumn 2019.
“These are exciting times for Burnley General Teaching Hospital,” said ELHT Chief Executive Kevin McGee.
“Phase 8 is the latest part of our vision for a modern Burnley General Teaching Hospital which will benefit patients and staff, and make a significant investment in the (long term future of) the site.
The new development will boast a state of the art ophthalmology centre, outpatients department and maxillo facial facilities.
On the ground floor, the easy access Outpatients Department will feature 21 consulting rooms and a dedicated blood room, an important specialist facility the existing outpatient facilities do not have.
In addition, the new maxillo facial unit will comprise a laboratory, four consulting rooms and a minor procedures theatre.
The new Ophthalmology Centre, located exclusively on the first floor, will feature two theatres, eight clinic rooms, laser room, day unit and a dedicated injection room for macular patients.