A MAJOR £850,000 investment plan will mean shorter waiting times and better facilities for ear, nose and throat patients at York District Hospital.

The money has been awarded following a successful bid by York Health Services NHS Trust to the Government's Action On fund.

The capital funding will be used to redesign and expand the ENT department, with outpatients' services being moved into specially-designed facilities nearby.

As well as the building work, which will start later this year, there will be an overhaul of services.

Susan Acott, the trust's acute services operational director, said: "We're delighted to be able to make such a massive investment into ENT services, which will be a big boost to our patients.

"With a new purpose-built ENT outpatients department and better ways of using the expertise of our staff, patients will get a quicker, better service.

"This sort of modern approach is not possible in the cramped and traditional conditions within the present department, and staff are now looking forward to being able to provide an accessible and flexible service in a pleasant environment. It will also offer the privacy and dignity that patients and their carers deserve."

Claire Jones, unit manager for the department, said: "Everybody is very excited about this and looking forward to moving because it will give us so much more space and the facilities will be purpose-built for the department's needs."

Updated: 11:31 Tuesday, August 07, 2001