A hospital emergency department which serves North Powys patients is set to undergo a multi-million pound upgrade.

A statement issued by Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust says work at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, which is set to cost £9.3million, is part of a programme of work to improve patient care at the hospital.

Clinical space in the department is being increased to include a new and improved major emergencies department, as well as a new designated emergency zone for children and young people, and provision for vulnerable patients.

Bosses say the work is part of a programme designed to address concerns raised by a 2018 Care Quality Commission report which rated Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust as 'inadequate'.

The building work will take place in four phases over the next 12 months, with the first phase already under way to create the larger and improved major emergencies zone for those who are seriously ill.

Patients attending the department can expect some disruption during the building works, however according to the trust all services will remain operational.

Nigel Lee, Chief Operating Officer, said: "The quality of care that we provide to our patients, and their experience whilst they are in our hospitals, is our priority.

"It is widely documented that the demand for the services provided by our Emergency Department at RSH currently exceeds capacity.

"We hope that the improvements we are making to our infrastructure will help us to continue to drive forward our Quality Improvement Programme and help address the issues raised in recent CQC inspections.”

Betty Lodge, Divisional Director of Nursing, Emergency Care Division, said: “As well as great news for our patients, it is also good news for clinical colleagues working hard to deliver positive change, as they will be working in environment that will enable them to do this.

“We would like to thank everyone for their patience whilst the building work is being undertaken.”

The works follow the creation of a new same day emergency care service which opened at the end of last year; a new Fracture clinic, and the expansion of the surgical admissions unit.