OKEHAMPTON Community Hospital is to undergo a formal deep clean and maintenance process to fight infections and improve the environment for patients.

The hospital aims to minimise the disruption to patients as much as possible and offer staff the opportunity to undertake further training while the work is being done.

During this period the hospital will not be available for inpatient services, although the minor injury unit, maternity unit and outpatient services will continue to operate as normal.

Matron at the hospital, Wendy Bellamy, said: 'We are undertaking a deep clean in all our community hospitals to ensure we reach and maintain the highest standards of hospital cleanliness.

'At the same time we are carrying out maintenance work in the hospital as we continue to invest in the estate of our local facilities to improve the environment for patients.

'Taking this opportunity to carry out maintenance work at the same time as undertaking the deep clean will help minimise disruption to patients.'

Work at the hospital will begin on Monday, February 22, and is due to end the week commencing Monday, April 5.