Work underway on new £15m theatre complex at Oswestry hospital

The new theatres and ward development is being built at Oswestry's hospital alongside the main entrance, with the first of two steel frames – which will become the Bone Cancer Centre's outpatients area and a new inpatient ward – now erected.

On the other side of the new structure, activity has been focussed on the demolition of the former buildings, preparing the way for the foundations and drainage to be installed ahead of construction of a second steel frame which will be the new admissions unit, theatres and high dependency unit (HDU).

Project director Trevor Chadd, associate director of estates, told the Shropshire Star: "We are really pleased with the progress of the development and are on track for our completion target.

"We are delighted by the amount of interest we have had from patients and visitors to the hospital who can see the development progressing and we are looking forward to opening these state-of-the-art facilities next year.

"Completion of this key stage will enable more patients to receive treatment and care in state-of-the-art facilities."

The project is due to be completed in September 2016 and is the latest phase of site development aligned with the trust's mission "to be the leading centre for high quality, sustainable orthopaedic and related care, achieving excellence in both experience and outcomes for our patients".

Work on the development, which includes four new clean air theatres, the high dependency unit, an admission on day of surgery unit, and the new dedicated Bone Cancer Centre, is being carried out by Kier.

Patients and visitors to the hospital can keep up-to-date with the progression of the development at the dedicated viewing area and a number of artist's impressions located on the site boundary near to the main entrance.

Regular updates on the work are also posted to the hospital's Twitter account @RJAH_NHS