SKIPTON General Hospital is set to receive an investment of £850,000 to bring the building into full compliance for Fire Safety and for the Disability Discrimination Act.

Improvements to fire safety set out by the North Yorkshire Primary Care Trust will include fitting new fire doors, a new alarm system, a new emergency lighting system and replacement of various fire doors throughout the hospital building. Refurbishment of existing fire escapes will also be carried out to ensure they comply with existing fire regulations.

Work will also be carried out to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act, which will include fitting automatic entrance doors and fitting doors with low level disability access for wheelchair users. Two elevators will also be refurbished to comply with Disability Discrimination Act standards.

Janet Probert, Director of Community and Mental Health Services for NHS North Yorkshire and York said: “The investment will provide vital changes to Skipton General Hospital, which will bring it up to date for fire and safety and make it more accessible for disabled people. The work is expected to start at the beginning of March and is expected to be completed by the end of September 2009.

“We have put measures in place to minimise disruption to hospital services. Contractors will be completing work in specific areas before moving onto the next area to ensure work will not be taking place throughout the hospital all at the same time. In addition some work will be done out of normal working hours to ensure patients, staff and services can remain operational.”