THE end is in sight for the development of a new community hospital in the North Cotswolds which is due to open its doors in the next few months.

Work on the main infrastructure of the building has now been completed with fittings to the interior next on the agenda. Car parking areas, roads and paths are now taking shape while highway and pedestrian access is being improved.

An opening date has yet to be announced for the site on the Fosseway, Moreton, but the new community hospital is scheduled to be open to patients in the spring.

The hospital, which will replace the existing Moreton Hospital and the town’s two GP surgeries, will include inpatient services, diagnostic facilities such as X-ray, a minor injury unit and outpatient services.

Jan Stubbings, Gloucestershire NHS chief executive, said: “The new community hospital in Moreton is a state-of-theart building which will enable patients to receive care in the best possible environment.”

The Moreton Hospital League of Friends is supporting the project and is halfway to raising £1 million to help equip the facility.

Chairman David Glaisyer said he had been overwhelmed by the public support.

“People have been so generous, it’s been lovely,” he said.

“Individuals have been sending cheques.

“It’s been heart-warming to have the community getting involved.

“It’s very nice to be able to provide something for people of the North Cotswolds. If you want to make the hospital really proud you have got to spend extra money to make it that bit better.

“A specialist Bariatric bed costs £5,000 and ultrasound equipment is £50,000. We want to make the facilities better. It stops people having to travel long distances to other hospitals.”

Donations have already been made by Dormer House School and Ebrington WI along with many gifts from individuals.

Meanwhile, Moore Cottage Hospital in Bourton is also being improved with the development of a new 14-bed intermediate care unit next to the current hospital building.

Before the official openings, there will be public open days to give people the opportunity to have a first glimpse around the new facilities.