HOSPITALS across Morecambe Bay are set to be transformed thanks to a multimillion pound investment.

University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust (UHMBT) has committed £19 million to the Trust's three main sites and community services.

Schemes include an expansion of the emergency department at Furness General Hospital to create a new resuscitation area, an upgrade of the macular unit at Westmorland General Hospital and a new children’s assessment area at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

It is hoped the work will improve the environment across different specialties to making the patient experience better for all age ranges.

Foluke Ajayi, chief operating officer, UHMBT, said: “We are delighted to be able to invest £19m in improving our buildings across the Trust. It will be no surprise to anyone to hear that if patients and families receive care in a better environment then their experience is much more positive.

"We are lucky in that a lot of our wards and departments are of a good standard but there are areas that need to be renovated, updated or in some cases, moved to a bigger area."

She added that the schemed that were being looked at had all been suggested by the organisation's clinical teams and would contribute to the Trust’s ambition of being a 'great place to be cared for and a great place to work'.

Clinicians from the Trust are currently working with our Capital Services Team to take the initial plans to the next stage, which includes identifying timescales for the schemes that will be taken forward.

Aaron Cummins, chief executive, UHMBT, said: “We all know that the NHS nationally is facing financial challenges and our Trust is no different. However, we have always been really clear that despite the financial pressures, we will always invest in improving our hospitals so our local communities receive the best possible care in the best possible environment.

“We are really proud that this year’s investment is one of the largest in the Trust’s history, and we hope it sends a strong message to our staff and the local people that we remain absolutely committed to making our hospitals the best they can be."

The Trust is hoping that work on some of the schemes will start over the summer, whereas others are still in the initial stages and may not start until late 2018/early 2019.

More information on the schemes that will be taking place will be shared with staff, stakeholders, and the public as soon as it is available and regular updates on progress will be provided via the Trust’s social media channels and the dedicated page of the Trust’s