The 17-bed inpatient ward at Melton Mowbray Hospital is closing for five weeks for essential repairs.

The vinyl floor finish on the ward corridor and circulation space needs replacing.

Various technical investigations have taken place, all of which indicate that the only solution to the issue is to remove and replace areas of the floor covering, concrete screed topping and concrete sub-floor below. This is the only way to completely rectify the defects. Protective screening will be provided around the works, but given the large amounts of dust expected to be generated, it is likely that it will not all be contained within the immediate work areas.

Given the impact of the works detailed above, and a comprehensive review of health and safety considerations, NHS Property Services and Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust have agreed that from mid-August until mid-September, for the five week duration of the works, staff and patients will not be on the ward while the work is carried out. The work is due to commence on 15 August 2019; timing of the works has been agreed to support completion prior to the start of winter pressures on bed capacity.

Other NHS services at Melton will continue as normal throughout this period — including the birthing centre, outpatient clinics, and the urgent care centre.

In the run-up to the work, the number of beds will be reduced on the ward as patients are discharged and extra beds opened at community hospitals in Loughborough, Hinckley and at the Evington Centre in Leicester to maintain bed capacity.

Ward manager Lisa Farmer said: “We apologise to all patients, carers and visitors and staff who are affected by this temporary closure and look forward to it reopening in September.”