THE start of Newton Hospital's transformation to a community hospital will see patients moved to wards in St Helens.

St Helens Primary Care Trust will be transferring patients from the Newton site to Pilkington Ward and Seddon Suite at St Helens Hospital this month.

Staff will also move to the Peasley Cross-based hospital to continue caring for patients ahead of contractors clearing the site for redevelopment, which is scheduled to begin in October.

According to St Helens PCT, the new Newton Community Hospital, will be one of the first to be built in the country since the publication of the government white paper 'our health our care our say'.

It will provide a pharmacy, physiotherapy, gym, minor surgery suite and a wide range of community based services and specialist clinical services such as ENT.

There will also be a 30 in patient beds housed in the modern hospital. Rachel Fance, deputy director of operations with St Helens Primary Care Trust, said: "The new Newton Community Hospital will provide an extensive range of outpatient facilities and enhanced primary care and community services alongside in-patient intermediate care.

"We are looking for building work to begin in October this year and for completion and handover by October 08.

"This is a very exciting project and one that will enhance and improve the care and services provided not only to the residents of Newton-le-Willows but the surrounding areas too."

X-ray facilities and ear nose and throat services will be provided at St Helens Hospital and the Millennium Centre and Eccleston medical centre during the rebuild.