IMPROVEMENT works costing £1.4M have got underway at Furness General Hospital.

The money will be used to create a new resuscitation unit in the emergency department at the Dalton Lane site.

The new resuscitation unit will be used to treat trauma victims and patients with life threatening illnesses or injury who need emergency treatment and close monitoring.

The new unit will have three beds, one of which has been designed for children. At present there is only one resuscitation bed in the emergency department.

Other work being carried out to the emergency department includes a new main entrance, a modernised relative’s room and a specially adapted triage treatment room.

There will also be a new ambulance patient handover area, which will reduce the time ambulances spend in the emergency department, freeing them up to attend other emergencies more quickly.

Improvements will also be carried out to the minor injuries department, including increasing the security for patients in that area.

The works are due to be completed in May 2019.

Neil Smith, clinical service manager, acute and emergency medicine at FGH, said: “The new resuscitation unit is really important as it will improve the care we are able to provide to trauma patients and those with life threatening illnesses or injury.

“The other works mean we will be able to treat more patients in the emergency department, and also that patients and their families will be cared for in a more comfortable setting.

“The emergency department will continue to operate as normal while the works are being carried out, but we would ask visitors and staff who are accessing the main part of the hospital not to use the emergency department entrance, but use the main entrance at the front of the hospital. Of course, if it is an emergency, please still come straight to the emergency department.”

The project is part of a £19m investment programme that UHMBT is carrying out across its hospitals during 2018-2019.

Improvements will be made to the Trust’s three main hospitals: Furness General Hospital, the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and Westmorland General Hospital and also within community services.

Foluke Ajayi, chief operating officer at UHMBT said: “We are delighted to be able to invest £1.4 million in the new resuscitation unit and emergency department at FGH.

“This follows our recent £12million investment in the new maternity unit at the hospital and demonstrates that despite the difficult economic climate in the NHS we are committed to improving FGH, and our other sites, to ensure that we offer better services and experiences for our patients and their families.”

The works have been planned and designed by the capital services team at UHMBT and Mellor Architects.

Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: “This investment will transform Furness General Hospital’s capacity to treat people with life-threatening conditions and it is a massive boost for our community.

“The improved facilities will also be welcomed by our front-line NHS staff whose dedication is held in such high regard by the people of Barrow and Furness.

“Work on the new resuscitation unit follows a £12m investment in maternity facilities which sends out a signal that the Morecambe Bay Trust is serious about making substantial upgrades to our hospital following years of campaigning for improvements.”