£450k Blackpool hospital investment

An artists impression of the new outpatient area at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

The development has been approved thanks to a £200,000 donation from the hospital charity, Blue Skies Hospitals’ Fund.

The fund was left the generous amount of cash in a legacy by an anonymous donor for the benefit of Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

It means work can start in October - for around six weeks - to modernise the current outpatients area, accessible from Whinpark Avenue, with a new, inviting entrance and reception area.

Hospital bosses say the new dedicated reception area, served by the Trust’s volunteers, will help patients to find their way around more easily.

Wendy Swift, deputy chief executive at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is another exciting development for patients at the hospital.

“The development could not have taken place without the fabulous support of our charity, Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, which has backed this scheme from the beginning.”

Doug Garrett, chairman of Blue Skies’ Charitable Funds Committee, said: “Blue Skies has been able to make this large contribution to the outpatients development thanks to an extremely generous legacy left to the charity.

“This scheme just proves how important the charity is to the Trust’s work, and how all donations from Blue Skies are used purely to benefit patients and to make their visit to hospital as stress-free as possible.

“We are looking forward to seeing the results of this donation, and how it will benefit patients coming to the department for years to come.”

The Trust officially opened its new entrance, opposite the multi-storey car park on Whinney Heys Road, in 2014.

That £16.5m development boasts a new reception desk, pharmacy and shops as well as an open seating area.

Mrs Swift added: “The current outpatients area is in need of modernisation and we are confident that the new development will make it a far better place for our patients.

“Staff have been involved in the design process and everything has been done with the patient in mind as we aim to make it a far more pleasant experience.”