Hospital refurbishment

PEOPLE from Exmouth in need of treatment or advice at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital may soon notice a change in the building s appearance when they visit. This is because the hospital has awarded a major building contract for its reception entrance

PEOPLE from Exmouth in need of treatment or advice at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital may soon notice a change in the building's appearance when they visit.

This is because the hospital has awarded a major building contract for its reception entrance and public facilities to be refurbished.

Designed by architects Nightingale Associates, Exeter-based firm Mansell Construction will undertake the work.

Marie Noelle-Orzel, director of nursing and patient care, said: "We hope the new reception and public facilities reflect our focus to provide a friendly, professional hospital setting for high quality patient care.

"We intend to address aspects which we feel currently fall short of what we want to provide, including more public toilets and facilities for disabled users."

Ms Noelle-Orzel said this also included baby changing facilities and feeding room and improved lighting and signage.

Preparation work has started in the reception and concourse area.

A spokesperson for the hospital said where practical and possible, there would be a commitment to maintaining access during the building work until its completion in autumn 2009.