A PROGRAMME of improvements to bathroom and toilet facilities is soon to take place at Tavistock Community Hospital as part of a national initiative to improve single sex accommodation and privacy and dignity for inpatients.

The work is part of an ongoing programme of improvement work being rolled out by Devon Primary Care Trust (PCT).

It aims to ensure that men and women no longer have to share sleeping areas, bathrooms or toilets.

Tavistock Hospital already complies with national single sex requirements and is scheduled to benefit from further privacy and dignity improvements in September.

This further work is funded by the hospital's League of Friends. Work will start on September 7 and be completed by October 19.

Owing to the noisy and dirty nature of the work the hospital will not be accepting inpatients during this period but the minor injury unit and outpatient services will continue to operate as normal.

Leah Allen, assistant director of health and social care for south Devon at Devon PCT, said: 'The improvements programme has been carefully planned to ensure minimum disruption to patients.

'It will make it easier for maintenance and cleaning staff to carry out their work and this will improve patient experience.'