THE steel skeleton of a multi-million-pound maternity unit is in place as work to complete the state-of-the-art facility gathers pace.

Extensive groundworks for the new building have now been completed at Furness General Hospital in Barrow.

This week, the development has emerged from the ground for the first time in the scheduled 16-month build as a bespoke steel frame has been constructed on site.

Once completed, its external appearance is set to reflect Barrow's industrial, ship building heritage while making the most of the views across Furness for patients during their stay.

Hospital bosses have also confirmed the £12m project remains on schedule for completion in December this year with no delays on site so far.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust chief executive, Jackie Daniel, described progress on site as "positive news".

She said: "The steel work for our brand new maternity unit started to be put into place this week and as the first really visible piece of the new unit, it is very exciting to see.

"The new unit, which will include 14 en-suite birthing rooms, two dedicated theatres, a special care baby unit and a bereavement suite, is due to be completed by December this year so there is not long now to wait."

It is hoped the standalone maternity unit, which has been designed with input from maternity staff, experts and local families, will be one of the most modern and well equipped in the country when its doors are opened in 11 months time.

Funding has come from UHMBT itself after it was given special approval for the spending by the Department of Health.

Completion of a new unit offering the latest facilities to women and babies is the last outstanding recommendation of the Morecambe Bay Investigation.

The report, compiled by government patient safety expert Dr Bill Kirkup, concluded 11 babies and one mother died as a direct result of poor care at FGH between 2004 and 2013.

It also levied criticism of the facilities for women and babies at the Dalton Lane hospital - with the distance between the labour ward and operating theatre noted as a particular concern.

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