THE first two phases of a £2.5million project to modernise Basingstoke hospital's maternity and gynaecology units are set to be completed during the coming weeks.

The work, which hospital bosses say will improve the building's environment significantly for patients, visitors and staff, involves the creation of the hospital's third ultrasound scanning room and the complete refurbishment of the antenatal and gynaecology clinics and the ultrasound department.

Consulting rooms will be enlarged, and new flooring and lighting installed. The new modern reception area and the hospital's disabled facilities will be improved with the addition of automatic entrance doors and new specially-adapted toilets.

Helen Fraser, project manager, said: "It is a really busy and exciting time for us - seeing our plans for the units taking shape and our vision for the future starting to become reality.

"I would like to apologise to our clients, patients and visitors for any disruption they have encountered as the building work commences, but I am sure they will be very pleased with the end result."

Further phases of the project will see the completion of a new fertility department and the creation of a delivery room with facilities for disabled people.

The entire project is due to be completed by May 2005.

The hospital management trust was awarded £1.7million Government funding towards the project.