PATIENTS at York District Hospital could soon be treated in a department entirely constructed in a factory.

York Health Services NHS Trust is hoping to take advantage of the latest modular construction techniques - seen in the city for the first time earlier this year - to create a new ear, nose and throat department (ENT) with maxillofacial surgery and orthodontic outpatient services, at the Wigginton Road site.

A specially-designed extension will be built off-site and then craned into place on top of the existing ground-floor catering department.

The modular technique was used to build 24 flats off Sixth Avenue, Tang Hall, which opened earlier this year. Trust staff visited other UK hospitals where similar modular developments have successfully cut down on construction time and reduced disruption.

The £2 million development, which has yet to receive planning permission, will be partly funded by the £1 million handed out by the Government this year when the trust gained three-star status.

Neil Wilson, director and manager of head and neck specialities, said that moving the services from the first-floor outpatients department will create new clinical space for essential developments including oncology, haematology and breast services.

He said: "This will bring the head and neck facilities together in a modernised integrated department.

"We have been planning to move ENT within this time scale, but what has changed is the addition of the maxillofacial surgery and orthodontics within the same time scale.

"We decided to move them together to create an integrated facility because there are strong operational links between the services.

"We are constrained by the space on the site so we have to think quite creatively about where we can expand and build additional facilities.

"Obviously this is going to be a tremendous benefit to patients."

A business case for the modular development, which was being discussed by the trust board at a meeting today, will be presented to the board in October and a planning application should then be submitted to City of York Council.

If all goes to plan then the department will be in use within 12 months.

The hospital is currently undergoing an £18 million clinical development to provide a new eye department, a diabetes and endocrine centre and a medical illustration department.

Updated: 12:17 Wednesday, September 25, 2002