A MASSIVE scheme to improve facilities at an East Lancashire hospital will officially get under way later this week.

The Phase Five development of Burnley General Hospital is a £30million public-private project for a three-storey extension and other improvements.

Trust bosses hope the development will bring massive changes to the Burnley site, with many improvements to benefit patients, relatives, visitors and staff.

The scheme will be officially launched on Friday with a turf-cutting ceremony attended by civic dignitaries, trust chiefs and Burnley's MP Peter Pike.

The piecemeal way Burnley hospital has developed over the years has made life difficult for staff and patients.

Currently, adult medical patients are in 10 medical wards, seven of which are outside the main hospital.

Patients, equipment and supplies are moved around the site by an internal transport system, which is time-consuming for staff and uncomfortable for patients.

The new extension will mean acute medical specialities can be brought together in a single unit on the Casterton Avenue site. The extension, which is made up of three-storeys attached to the main hospital street with access to the main hospital, will provide:

170 inpatient beds including a rehabilitation suite

A renal dialysis unit

A centralised medical specialities outpatient department

A dedicated outpatient and day treatment dermatology suite

Radiology and ECG departments to support medical specialities

A new pharmacy, main entrance and retail area

The new building will replace the wards and departments in the original workhouse buildings which date from about 1860.

The new renal department will treat patients from Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley as well as Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, meaning an end to them having to travel out of the area for treatment.

Some departments at Burnley, such as ear, nose and throat, and opthamology, already treat patients from across East Lancashire.

The development was approved by planners last May after a row over parking was resolved.

Some residents were concerned about the expansion because cars already spill over on to nearby streets.

But the hospital has pledged to spend around £70,000 on a residents' parking scheme and improved public transport. Consultation on the plans is underway.

Phase Five will be built under a public-private partnership between the trust and firm Catalyst Healthcare. Completion of the project is expected in 2006.