Hospitals' £1.2m for ward changes

Hospitals have until September to complete all the work

NHS trusts in Devon have been given more than £1m of government money to phase out mixed sex wards.

The £1.25m from the Department of Health is to ensure inpatients have more privacy and dignity.

The county's largest grant of £487,000 was given to Torbay, where the majority of the money is being spent in Torbay Hospital in Torquay.

The Northern Devon Healthcare Trust is using some of its £350,000 to help pay for alterations at community hospitals.

North Devon community hospitals to benefit include Holsworthy, Great Torrington, South Molton and Lynton.

Other smaller hospitals will benefit too, including Paignton Hospital, which is using some of the money to upgrade single sex toilet and washing facilities.

The Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare Trust has received £270,000 to assist pay for any necessary work. Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust has received £150,000

Hospitals have until the end of June to complete the work.