WORK has begun on the new Endoscopy Unit at The Cumberland Infirmary. 

North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) has made the public aware of the work saying that there will currently be some changes to the hospital site.

In a post on social media, NCIC wrote: "If you have been up to the Cumberland Infirmary lately you will notice a few changes.

"Behind the hoarding, work has started to build a brand new state-of-the-art endoscopy unit.

"The excavation of the original site is now almost complete.

"The new unit will: increase the number of procedures we can carry out to help diagnose a range of conditions; increase the number of clinical rooms to five which meets all modern standards as well as an outpatient area; means patients currently travelling to Newcastle for a procedure can be seen more locally.

"Please bear with us while the work is underway, access to and from the main car park has changed. Please use the zebra crossing that has recently been installed on the driveway up to the hospital.

"For your safety please do not walk on the road next to the hoarding. We hope to open next spring."