Temporary drop-off area introduced at hospital

Ongoing works at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital mean changes to the layout of the site

A temporary drop-off area will be introduced for patients and visitors of the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital (RSH) from Thursday.

The area will temporarily replace parking and drop-off facilities outside the hospital's Copthorne building.

It will be located at the front of the site, off the main roundabout, and is for patients and visitors of ophthalmology services and eye clinics, the renal ward, children's outpatients and supported discharge.

The road leading to the Copthorne building is also to be closed from Thursday, to allow for drainage and associated infrastructure works.

The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust said it expected that the road would be shut for the next few months.

However, it may need to remain closed for the duration of the construction, due to the complexity of the works.

"We will keep our patients updated on this," the trust said.

Pedestrian access will be in place for staff, patients and visitors.

Pedestrian access will be in place to allow access to the hospital

The works are part of a multi-million pound hospital transformation programme, which is reorganising care at hospitals in Shropshire.

Under the plans, Telford's Princess Royal Hospital will specialise in planned care and the RSH in emergency care.

A new emergency department at the RSH will include a major injury unit and paediatric area, as well as new ambulance bays and an improved urgent treatment centre.

There will also be modern maternity facilities and a new entrance.