WORK will begin this weekend on the refurbishment of the West Atrium at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.During the month long works, expected to be finished by April 6, the West Atrium - one of the eight entrances to the hospital - will be closed.

WORK will begin this weekend on the refurbishment of the West Atrium at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

During the month long works, expected to be finished by April 6, the West Atrium - one of the eight entrances to the hospital - will be closed.

Patients will be asked to enter the building via the East Atrium about 100m away. The East Atrium was refurbished in a similar four week programme in 2008.

This change will affect the hospital entrance used by pregnant women who will be advised to use the East Atrium entrance by their community midwife. Patients coming to hospital for pre-operative assessments will be advised to go to the Arthur South Day Procedure Unit.

The main staff and visitor restaurant will also be closed during this period. Hot meals for visitors will still be available at the hospital's Deli2go caf� on the hospital plaza run by service provider Serco plus coffee and snacks will be served in the hospital's two outpatient caf� areas also run by Serco. A temporary staff restaurant will be set up in a marquee and patient catering on the wards will not be affected.

Head of facilities Bob Wotton said: “We would like to remind patients about this temporary change and apologise in advance for any inconvenience to patients while the work is taking place. It is part of our PFI partner's commitment to maintaining the hospital to the highest standards.

“There is also an intention to upgrade the counters in the restaurant which will provide for a wider selection of food and in continuing the commitment to reducing energy, it is also intended to replace the lighting with low energy LED lighting.”