CAPITAL SCHEMES: Building work costing more than £580,000 has begun on Lincoln County Hospital’s outpatient department following investment from United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust.

The first phase of the district general hospital’s facelift will see the construction of a central reception area for many of the clinics near the main outpatient entrance.

This is to be followed by improvements to clinical areas, including upgrades of treatment rooms to improve access for disabled patients, particularly wheelchair users.

A trust spokesman said the funding has come from the trust’s existing budget, with no money from external sources.

While an end date for the building work has not been set, the spokesman added that construction is due to take place throughout this year.  

Sandra Hayes, clinical nurse manager for the outpatients department, asked visitors to be patient while work is carried out.

There are more than 3,000 outpatient appointments a week, making it one of the trust’s busiest sites.

Ms Hayes said: “There will be some disruption as we will continue to run each and every clinic while the upgrade takes place.”