MAJOR redevelopment works to the main entrance of a hospital are expected to be completed by the end of next month.

Work to improve the way into Poole Hospital began last year in a bid to improve the “dignity and safety” of patients.

In a report, its chief executive, Debbie Fleming, said she expected the project to be fully completed by the end of June.

The scheme will see a modernised reception area built alongside an “enlarged” Costa Coffee, Stock Shop and WHSmith selling Marks and Spencer food.

Funding for the improvements is expected to come wholly from income from the retail units.

A report by Mrs Fleming to the board of Poole Hospital NHS trust ahead of its meeting on Wednesday (May 29) says the first phase of work is expected to be finished in the next few days.

“The new main entrance throughway will be open to staff and visitors by the end of May,” she says.

Security and car park offices will be accessed through the new foyer which will be linked to the car park walkway, Philip Arnold unit and Dorset Cancer Centre.

“The phase two works will be completed by the end of June and this will include a new dedicated first floor patient transfer linkway,” the report adds.

“This will improve patient dignity compared with the previous requirement to facilitate inpatient bed transfers via an unheated ground floor link tunnel.”

Work in the second phase will also include the conversion of the existing Costa Coffee unit into new toilets, including a specialised full accessible facility.

It is expected that 15 jobs will be created through the improvement.

The report adds that a “radical overhaul” of routes through the hospital site was being carried out and that a “modest investment” is planned for the north entrance to the hospital off Longfleet Road.

An official opening of the new main entrance area is being organised for July.