A REVAMP is taking place of Royal Blackburn Hospital’s emergency department.

East Lancashire Hospitals Trust said the hospital’s A&E and urgent care centre are currently undergoing essential work to improve the waiting room, reception and treatment areas.

The trust said the work is part of a ‘lifecycle programme’ to repair and replace inevitable wear and tear which they said included flooring, paintwork and seating.

The A&E is one of the busiest in the country.

Work, which has been planned in phases to ensure ‘minimum disruption’, is due to be fully completed in November.

Sharon Gilligan, director of operations at the trust, said the work will provide a much better environment for staff, patients and visitors.

She said: “The emergency department and urgent care centre at Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital are currently undergoing routine maintenance works.

“This is part of a ‘lifecycle’ programme that happens throughout the trust to repair and replace inevitable wear and tear to things such as flooring, paintwork, seating and other facilities.

“The work has been planned in phases to ensure minimum disruption to our patients and staff and is scheduled to be fully completed in November.

“This is the fourth phase of the works, with improvements being made to the waiting, reception and treatment areas which will provide a much better environment for all.”

Ms Gilligan went on to warn patients to think twice before visiting the A&E and that there are other services available for medical advice, including the minor injuries unit and from a patient’s pharmacist or GP.

She added: “I would just like to take the opportunity also to remind people that our patients that come to these departments are treated in order of clinical urgency.

“Therefore if you are unwell but it is not life-threatening then you may be treated sooner by seeking medical advice from your pharmacist, GP, minor injuries unit or phoning NHS 111.

Work to improve the A&E comes as trust chiefs continue to invest in the hospital.

A new £9.95m medical unit is expected to open next winter, and also a new 35-bed emergency surgical unit in January 2020.