Work is starting on the site of a new building outside Leighton Hospital ahead of the arrival of the new building in approximately two months’ time.
The 1,000 sqm modular building is to be outside the Outpatients Department and it is to be the home of Audiology and of Ear, Nose and Throat.
The reason for the relocation of the services is the presence of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete, or RAAC, the collapse-prone concrete which was used in the construction of around 60 per cent of the hospital.
The Outpatients Department alongside a number of other departments is in line for a programme of rolling remediation and as a result Audiology and Ear, Nose and Throat are not able to continue in their current location.
They are to have audiology rooms and consulting rooms as well as an ENT minor operations room and an ENT treatment room in their alternative location while other services are able to continue in their current location.
Work is starting on the site of the new building this week ahead of the arrival of the new building in March.
A Mid Cheshire NHS Trust spokesperson said: “The Outpatients Department entrance and the Physiotherapy entrance will be closed. Patients will be able to access the Outpatients Department and Physiotherapy via the hospital’s main entrance following signage along the yellow corridor.
“Additionally three ambulance bays will be outside of the Emergency Department for ambulance access.”
In the long-term Leighton Hospital is to be rebuilt with an application for planning permission to go to Cheshire East Council within a matter of months.
The Labour Government last year announced a review of the New Hospital Programme but it later announced the hospital was not a part of the review.
If approved the aim is to start the work by the end of 2026.
For information on RAAC go to www.mcht.nhs.uk/RAAC/.
This article is by Jack Tooth. He is available at jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk.