A MULTI-MILLION pound series of building and development projects is under way to revitalise one of the North-East's busiest hospitals.

Gateshead Health NHS Trust has the go-ahead for ten modernisation projects to transform the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Gateshead.

The £30m programme is the largest investment in health services in Gateshead to date and will help increase capacity, improve services and help to ensure the hospital is at the forefront of technological improvements.

The flagship of the ten schemes is the Jubilee Wing, attracting an investment of £17m. The new wing will accommodate 96 in-patient beds with wards built for older people and orthopaedic services, together with day care facilities to help to ease the load on nearby Bensham Hospital.

Another major project starting this summer will be the development of a £4m breast screening and symptomatic unit, together with a clinical skills training centre.

Estates and risk management director Peter Harding said: "We are delighted with this series of projects that will mark such big improvements for the people of Gateshead."