MODERNISATION of the old building at Victoria Hospital, Wimborne, was given a major boost thanks to the announcement of two grants totalling £225,000 from the Friends of Victoria Hospital.

And the community hospital has been praised as more efficient and cost-effective than either Poole or Bournemouth.

Friends' chairman Commander Mike Chamberlain told the charity's recent Annual General Meeting they would be donating £75,000 for the development and modernisation of Hanham Ward and £150,000 for theatre development on the site.

"Internal demolition of Hanham Ward is just about complete and construction has started," he said.

"The foundations for the step-down recovery room will be started next week.

"At our last meeting the Trustees agreed to increase our contribution from £25,000 to £75,000 to ensure that the new wards will be fitted out to a high standard.

"The next step in hospital development is the operating theatre. Plans are in their infancy and the Chief Executive of the Primary Care Trust, Andrew Cawthron, awaits costings.

"South and East Dorset Primary Care Trust will provide the lion's share of this but the Trust does need some help, and the Trustees have agreed to make a provision of £150,000 for the theatre, subject to formal costings."

Guest speaker at the event, consultant surgeon James Pain, commended the hospital for its friendly atmosphere and professionalism, making it an "attractive place to work".

He said the environment was ideal to teach his trainee surgeons, that the theatre throughput was more efficient, and that it was the only community hospital to undertake keyhole surgery which did not entail a long stay in hospital, proving it to be more economic than operations at Poole and Bournemouth.

Supporters at the meeting also heard that long-standing fund-raiser and promoter Des Curtis, DFC, was standing down.

Cdr Chamberlain said: "Des has been a superb trustee.

"We shall miss his sound advice and his sense of good humour at our meetings."