A DALES surgery is now undergoing improvement works to create more space, better access, and more up to date facilities.

The first stage of work at Masham Surgery is to build an extension over the yard at the Little Market Place side of the building, which will become the new entrance and waiting room.

The existing offices at this side of the building will be converted into a new reception area and dispensary.

Christine Martin, from the Patients’ Group at Kirkby Malzeard and Masham Surgeries, said: “Once this work is complete, the current reception and waiting room in the main Market Place side will be turned into two new consulting rooms.

“Finally the first floor rooms will fully updated to make them neater and brighter.

“We will have two additional consulting rooms downstairs, making it much less likely patients will be asked to go upstairs to see the doctors.

“In addition there will be more rooms available for staff and patients to use, so we will have space to provide new services in future.

“The waiting and reception areas will be lighter and brighter. All the rooms used by the doctors and nurses will be of the specifications needed in a modern practice, being better lit and ventilated, with improved noise insulation.”

Mitie is undertaking the construction work, which is being paid for jointly by NHS England and the surgery. Work began on August 8, and is due to be completed in early February 2017. The new entrance, waiting room and reception is due to open before Christmas.