CARDIOLOGY and vascular services have moved to a new part of the building as part of the ongoing redevelopment of the West Cumberland Hospital.

The departments can now be found in the centre of the Whitehaven hospital, in one area, making access easier for patients and improving the environment.

They are situated off the main corridor, next to the restaurant and towards Coronary Care and Intensive Care.

The North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust says the facilities are brand new, and designed specifically for the specialist departments. There is also an additional consulting room, dedicated pacemaker room and treadmill room, while patients can have scans, then be seen by a consultant in one place.

Alan Jennison, senior chief cardiac physiologist at the hospital, said: “The new facilities are absolutely brilliant. All of the staff are thrilled.

"We are much closer to the heart of the hospital and it means much improved access for our patients. It’s much brighter and roomier than before, it’s a wonderful place to work.

“The building has also been designed to be ‘future proof’ meaning we will be able to accommodate future improvements as the service develops, which is brilliant news for the people of west Cumbria.”

Patient Graham Robinson, of Crosby, Maryport added: “I’ve been coming to the hospital since 2006 and have been in the old and new departments, the improvements are fantastic.

"Everything is better - the rooms, waiting areas, access, parking. It’s much brighter and what the hospital needed. The staff here are all pleasant and I wouldn’t want to go anywhere else.”

The redevelopment of the hospital has been ongoing for some time, with the £90m new-build section opening in October 2015. Phase 1B is now almost complete, with the breast screening service moving in the coming weeks.

The next step will be to demolish the old hospital buildings and, once approved, build new academic facilities on site.