AN ambitious programme of plans to improve two hospitals has been unveiled.

NHS bosses want to spend more than £53 million upgrading sites at Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust will be applying to the NHS Improvement Fund to cover the cost of some of the work.

This includes upgrading existing accident and emergency departments at both hospitals to meet future standards for providing emergency care.

Major projects also involve work to improve privacy and dignity for patients in the radiology departments at both hospitals with new clinical and waiting areas plus improved changing facilities and new CT scanners.

There are plans for a major refurbishment of the urology unit at the DGH, creating five clinic rooms, plus new procedure and consulting rooms.

Other work includes relocating and redesigning the fracture clinic at Conquest creating a new reception and waiting areas, ten consulting rooms, a plaster room with three treatment bays and a separate treatment room.

Trust bosses also want to refurbish and expand the main entrances at both hospitals to improve the environment and appearance for patients and visitors.

Trust director of estates and facilities Chris Hodgson said: “We are totally committed to making sure our patients and staff can enjoy being cared for in, and work in, the best possible facilities.

“This is why we are making this large investment in capital schemes over the next five years.

“We are excited by this investment to our hospitals which will enhance both our patient's experience and the working environment for staff.”

The work is expected to be carried out over the next five years and form part of the trust’s plans to improve services for patients.

The trust was branded inadequate by the Care Quality Commission last year and placed into special measures.

Inspectors found a “worrying disconnect” between senior managers and frontline staff and allegations of bullying.

Concerns were also raised about the trust’s maternity, surgery and outpatient’s services.

In Eastbourne critical care was rated good, surgery and outpatients were both rated inadequate, and accident and emergency, medical care, children's services and end of life care were said to be requiring improvement.

Medical and critical care at the Conquest were rated as good, while improvements were required for accident and emergency, children's services and end of life care.

Surgery and maternity were both rated inadequate.