WORKS to extend the A&E department at Whiston Hospital begin today (Wednesday, August 8).

The department currently sees and treats over 111,000 patients a year, an increase of in excess of 30 per cent since the new hospital opened in 2010.

In order to address the increasing demand, the Trust is building outwards from the existing A&E entrance to extend the current waiting area and redesign the interior to provide further clinical space.

Patients should not experience any major disruption during the building work, and there will be no changes to parking or drop-off facilities at the hospital.

The only change to begin with is that a temporary entrance has opened for patients to enter the department just a few feet away from the current entrance.

This can still be accessed from Dragon Lane / Stoney Lane and is clearly sign-posted.

Rob Cooper, director of operations, said: “The expansion of A&E is just one of a number of projects we are undertaking to address the increasing demands on our services.

"Unprecedented numbers of patients are attending our hospital and we need to ensure we provide the best facilities as well as the highest standards of care.”