Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health, Dr Dan Poulter MP, yesterday marked the official opening of Blackpool Victoria Hospitals new main entrance and car park which has transformed facilities for patients, visitors and staff.
Unveiling a plaque Dr Poulter said: “I was at Blackpool hospital 18 months ago and the transformation is amazing now this impressive entrance has been built.”
“Thank you so much to everyone involved. This entrance and car park will make a huge difference to staff and patients. Investment like this supports frontline staff, improving their working conditions and is a welcoming face of the hospital.”
Work started on the main entrance and multi-storey car park in May 2013. The entrance hall was the final stage of the scheme to provide improved access to the hospital and houses Retail Outlets and a Pharmacy.
The capital for the development was borrowed from the Department of Health and will be paid back from income generated through retail and parking charges.
Visitors are directed through to the facility from the Trust’s new 1,200 vehicle car park. A covered walk-way takes people through to the main entrance where they can access the majority of the hospital guided, where necessary, by one of the Trust’s band of volunteer navigators.
The entrance hall includes Costa Coffee, Marks and Spencer, Lloyds Pharmacy and W H Smiths retail outlets as well as a reception area and access to the first floor of the hospital.
At the opening ceremony, attended by Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP, Paul Maynard and Mayors from Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre, Trust Chairman, Ian Johnson, said: “It is fantastic to see the new entrance hall now being used. It is a wonderful area that makes a huge difference to our patients, visitors and staff.’’