WORK has begun on a redevelopment project that will bring the Friarage Hospital at Northallerton into the twenty-first century.

A turf cutting ceremony officially marked the start of building work on the £21m scheme undertaken by South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Friarage.

The ceremony was performed by trust chairman Glenys Marriott, and Sue Young, chairman of Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust.

The trust has worked closely with P and HS Architects, staff and patients in designing the new buildings.

An original amount of £18m was allocated for the redevelopment work, but the final figure of £21m has now been agreed. The trust agreed to meet the extra funding out of its capital budget.

Interserve Health has been appointed as the principal supplier under NHS ProCure 21, a national five-year programme covering all non-private finance initiative projects in the health service with a capital cost greater than £1m. Building work should be finished by next summer.

The new hospital block will cover paediatrics, the neonatal unit, women's health, pathology, a shop for the Friends of the Friarage and refurbishment of the main entrance.

Under a separate initiative, the number of endoscopy rooms in the day unit will also be increased - the Friends launched a successful £150,000 fund raising drive to equip this new development. Work on a new energy centre has also begun.

Mrs Marriott said: "It's always been our priority to get core clinical services out of wooden huts and into an environment more conducive to healthcare.

"The new hospital block will provide a valuable service to the local population which, I know, holds the Friarage very close to its heart.

"We're very proud to be making this happen and in having the support of so many people - staff, patients and health colleagues - not forgetting the Friends of the Friarage and volunteers who have done so much over the years.

"This turf cutting ceremony marks a new milestone in the Friarage Hospital's rich history."

Work has already begun on demolishing the old linen bank and the first building to be complete will house the switch room and medical gases. Next will be the Friends' new shop. The main building programme starts early next year.

Interserve contracts manager Roger Spark said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with the trust. It is an exciting and challenging project for us.

"The new facilities will provide a modern and welcoming environment for patients and staff and help the trust in delivering the highest standards of care for patients."