A MAJOR �1.5m project to refurbish and improve a north Suffolk hospital is set to come to fruition when the building is officially reopened this weekend.

Formerly known as Hartismere Hospital in Eye, the facility will be reopened on Saturday as The Hartismere Health and Care building following refurbishment work which included a new look reception and glass atrium areas.

The project to revitalise the Castleton Way hospital was announced in August 2010 and started in March 2011, but the hospital continued to provide community and specialist clinical services to residents of Norfolk and Suffolk while the work was taking place.

The refurbished hospital will continue to house a mixture of community and specialist services, including podiatry, health visiting, continence, mental health, diagnostics, rehabilitation, retinal screening and more.

The building is set to be officially opened by Lord Framlingham, former MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich and Alastair McWhirter, chairman of NHS Suffolk, on Saturday.

A number of local dignitaries will also be present including Eye mayor Merlin Carr and previous mayor Felix Williams, as well as members of Hartismere Hospital League of Friends, which has raised funds for the hospital.

Visitors will also be able to take a tour of the refurbished building, meet members of the town council and NHS Suffolk, visit charity stalls and watch a dancing display and a display by Eye Karate Club.

Iris Overall, chairman of Hartismere Hospital League of Friends said: “Our organisation has long supported and campaigned for the building’s refurbishment and improvement.

“Over the years we have been active fundraisers, and with a �15,000 contribution from the Stow Lodge League of Friends, have donated funds for a raised sensory garden and flower beds, a new couch for the birthing unit and two wheelchairs.

“We are all delighted that this refurbishment has been completed and we look forward to the building continuing its vital role in providing NHS services to the local community as it has done since 1948.”