GUIDES have been recruited to make sure staff and patients do not get lost in a redeveloped hospital.

Health bosses are concerned that with dozens of new wards and departments opening at the James Cook University Hospital in the next two months, patients, visitors and staff could lose their bearings.

While signposts and boards are installed, a "way-finding" team has been created to help people who find themselves in unfamiliar surroundings.

Emma and Stephen Regan, Tom and Louise Birch and Laura McQueeney have been familiarised with the layout of the hospital

Stationed at strategic points, each team member is recognisable in a grey uniform.

On the team's first day they helped almost 100 people. Feedback forms are also being handed out to find what people think of the service.

Paul Birch, the trust's assistant director of hotel services, said: "Way-finders has only been running a couple of days but we've had a really good response. People seem to be pleased that someone is here to help and we intend to keep the service going until September.

"We've decided to run the service Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm - to coincide with the main clinics. We've also found that after four o'clock the hospital quietens down."