THE entrance to the maternity unit at Furness General Hospital has undergone a refurbishment following suggestions from local people.

The site has been revamped as part of the ‘Projects Kendal, Barrow and Lancaster’, which was set up in June 2012 to improve the three main sites run by the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust (UHMBT).

“We are really pleased with the new maternity entrance at FGH,” said Aaron Cummins, director of finance for the trust.

“The whole purpose of Projects Kendal, Barrow and Lancaster was to make quick improvements that would make a huge difference to the experience patients and visitors get when in our hospitals.

“A lot of the feedback we received was that our reception and entrance areas were outdated and in some areas, quite unpleasant.

“We have already unveiled a new main reception and outpatients reception at Westmorland General Hospital, and have just started work on a new reception in the Centenary at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

“Our estates teams have done an exceptional job on the new reception and entrance area, and we hope our patient and visitors like them as much as we do.”

Members of the public, as well as governors, GPs and hospital staff, responded to a project with ideas of improvements they would like to see.

They said the maternity unit should look more ‘welcoming’.

The area now has new flooring, ceilings and lighting, new furniture and a refreshment area.

The maternity team is currently working up proposals for an information area which will complete the scheme.