Demolition works have begun at Warwick Hospital as work to create a brand new entrance and elective hub continue.

South Warwickshire University NHS Trust (SWFT) announced this week the first of the buildings have started to be knocked down to make way for the major new development.

Demolition work started on March 18, with photographs taken over the past few days showing the fast progress to date.

AR Demolition is carrying out the work on site (image via SWFT)

"The work that is taking place is a huge investment in your local NHS, which will help create sustainable and accessible services," the trust's website says.

"We are currently building a dedicated facility, known as an elective hub, that will increase the number of surgical procedures the hospital can carry out, helping to reduce waiting times for patients.

"This exciting project will also create a new main entrance for the hospital. This will support better way finding and improve flow around the site."

The development timeline on the SWFT website says construction is expected to start this spring, with the external building work completed by the end of the year.

It is hoped the ground floor elective hub will be operational from early 2025, before internal works on the first and second floors are completed.

"Week one of building work and the former Jephson Centre has been demolished," an update from SWFT posted on X this week said.

"Thanks to all the teams involved in the elective hub project for your dedication and hard work.

"A huge thank you to the services/departments who have moved to new accommodation to enable this work to commence."

The trust has also announced this March that Marks & Spencer and Costa Coffee will open at the Lakin Way hospital once it reopens.

A partnership with One Retail, Compass Group UK & Ireland's retail sector and Noviniti, to "transform" the estate has been announced.

The new entrance, which is due to open early next year, will see new retail offers launched.

In a first of its kind, One Retail will combine two high street favourites at Warwick Hospital.

One of the retail units will offer a hybrid Marks and Spencer and Costa Coffee, bringing "innovative digital screen self-ordering tech" (in addition of traditional tills).