Bird's eye view of hospital work

Residents have just under a year to wait until the new-look Walsall Manor Hospital is unveiled.

Boasting a new women's, children's and young person's building, a diagnostic and treatment centre and a multi-professional education centre, work on the hospital, off Pleck Road, is forging ahead.

A fresh landmark has been reached with the installation of a small section of roof on the women's, children's and young person's centre, the first section of roof to be completed at the new development. Later this month, a topping out ceremony will be held to celebrate the last piece of concrete being slotted into place before the rest of the roof is built.

Staff at the hospital were also recently treated to a sneak peek inside the hospital. Around 50 interested workers caught a glimpse of their future workplace, with another staff viewing day set to be held soon.

Anna Sykes, hospital spokeswoman, said: "The handover of our new hospital is less than a year away and for those who have passed the site recently the progress is clear to see.

"The staff viewing day created a real buzz of excitement as for many it was the first time they had been inside the redevelopment to see how the internal work is developing.

"The next few months and the countdown to the opening will be exciting for everyone involved."

Last month, one of the three cranes which has dominated the borough's skyline for months was removed.

David Lawson, director of estates and hospital redevelopment, said it was a "significant" step.

"The rest of the work will be phased in over the coming months as people begin to see the building really taking shape," he added.

Developers Skanska won the multi-million pound contract to rebuild the hospital. The hospital's old south wing was demolished last year and the famous link bridge between west and south wings was removed.