PREGNANT mothers and sick babies have received a boost with improvements at Basildon Hospital agreed.

Permission has been granted to improve the women and children’s department at the hospital, off Nethermayne.

It means more babies will be able to receive expert care and mums-to-be will get the facilities they deserve.

Stephen Griffiths, general manager for women and children, said: “This project will improve the infrastructure and layout of the current building, including increasing the size of our neonatal intensive care unit and enhancing privacy and dignity by providing a separate emergency entrance for maternity patients.

“The first phase of the project is to install a new lift shaft, which will lead the way for further refurbishment to take place.

“The trust is committed to providing the best care for our patients in the best environment and this project will go a long way to improving our current facilities.

“The building work has been in the planning stage for several years so everyone in the department is very pleased that work will finally be getting underway.”

The application was approved at a meeting of Basildon Council on Thursday.

The unit will be able to spread over four floors with much more space.

It will also mean departments can increase the clinical services available as well as introducing a new operation theatre.

The idea is to provide a bigger and better space more suitable to current demands.

The project has been several years in the planning.

The extension will be built in a gap in the current building.

Planning permission had originally been granted in 2014 but for years nothing happened.

Now work can begin.

Councillor Kerry Smith said: “Any news of investment in Basildon’s health care is great.

“I’m sure this will eventually make a real difference in patient’s lives. However, we need to make sure that Basildon Hospital has the opportunities it needs in the future to grow as our population grows.” No date for the work to begin has been announced.