PROGRESS is well under way on a £13 million hospital renovation project.

Work started at Whitby Community Hospital in March, despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Sonia Rafferty, service manager at Whitby Hospital, said: “We have been through some very challenging times due to Covid-19, but the team have been amazing.

“We would just like to thank all of the community for their support during the last few months, the acts of kindness and support have been fantastic and they’ve kept us all going.”

Currently, the hospital covers a large area over numerous levels.

The new scheme will consolidate the clinical service and the support services within the refurbished Tower Block, which is due to be completed in next summer.

The remainder of the construction work should be finished by the end of 2021.

To allow these works, patients and staff were moved to the Frankland ward in June. The refurbishment of the Frankland ward, although temporary, has been done to a high specification and includes a treatment room that offers a beautiful view of Whitby and the Abbey, ideal for returning blood transfusion day patients who will receive treatment in a safe, relaxing environment.

Michele Moran, chief executive at Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are thrilled to see the progression of the refurbishment go ahead as planned and we are looking forward to the next stages of development.

“It’s great to hear from our staff that they’ve experienced a seamless transition and we look forward to continuing our high standards of care in a modern, fit-for-purpose building that will meet the needs of the local community.”

Amanda Bloor, NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group Accountable Officer, said: “Every part of the NHS is working incredibly hard to overcome the challenges presented by COVID-19 - and renovating a hospital is a major project and no easy task at the best of times.

“On behalf of the CCG, I want to particularly thank staff based at Whitby Hospital who are continuing to deliver excellent care to Whitby patients while work on this important renovation project continues.”

The internal demolition of ceilings and floors, the removal of roofs and the installation of new drainage is currently in progress, with scaffolding and external work taking place at the rear of the complex.

All community hospital staff are now based in the main, front part of the hospital until the build is complete and all services continue to be delivered either face-to-face or virtually.

The refurbishment also includes an extra care facility to complement the hospital’s existing services, an ambulance bay with facilities for drop offs and a new car parking area.