A COTTAGE hospital twice saved from threats of closure is enjoying a new lease of life.

Builders are paving the way for a welcoming reception area for patients at Ripon Community Hospital.

The hospital, in Firby Lane, near the city centre, twice faced a serious threat to its future.

But on each occasion, spirited campaigns by the public saved it for future generations.

Closure would have meant most of its patients having to travel to Harrogate District Hospital, a round trip of 24 miles.

A spokesman for Craven, Harrogate & Rural District NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT), which runs the hospital, said the reception area would become a greeting point for patients.

Work is also under way to improve disabled access including assisted opening main entrance doors and lowered counters.

The PCT is undertaking work elsewhere in the building as part of ongoing maintenance.

This includes renewing a kitchen in the recently named Leon Smallwood Unit and renewing some of the windows, as well as creating another consulting room in the outpatients department.

Matron Jean Taylor said that since a ward had been reopened last year after a total refurbishment, staff could focus on improving facilities in other parts of the hospital, particularly disabled access.