Patients and visitors are set to receive a brighter welcome when coming to West Suffolk Hospital thanks to a major project to improve the front of the building.

The £250,000 scheme, which began today, will see the hospital frontage spruced up. Entrances to the emergency department, main building and therapy services will be refurbished, new lighting installed and the signage improved.

The front of the building will be redecorated and the entrances will be better defined. A smoking shelter will also be installed to move smokers away from the main entrance, a small amount of landscaping work will take place and unnecessary seating and signage will be removed.

In addition, a generous donation from the Friends of West Suffolk Hospital will be used to install automatic doors at the therapies entrance.

Jan Bloomfield, executive director of workforce and communications at the hospital, said: “Patients, staff and visitors have all been asking us to spruce up the front of the building for some time, so we are delighted that work is about to begin. It will make the whole hospital look much brighter and more welcoming for our patients and visitors.

“We are grateful to the Friends of the hospital, who are funding the new doors at the therapies entrance. This work in itself will be a big improvement for patients coming for treatment.

“We strive to give patients the best possible experience when coming to West Suffolk Hospital and are keen to make sure everyone can receive excellent care in high quality, welcoming surroundings. We hope that everyone will like the improvements when work is complete in the autumn.”

The project will use low maintenance materials so that the building retains its smart new appearance without the need for extensive ongoing work.

It has also been planned carefully to cause minimal disruption to patients and visitors. The therapy services entrance will shut temporarily while work is carried out but the emergency department and main entrances will remain open throughout.

During the works, the access road directly in front of the hospital will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles, and parking for blue badge holders will be limited. Signs will be put up to help direct drivers.