PLANS for a new £38m surgical ward at Taunton’s Musgrove Park Hospital will be revealed this weekend.

Staff will be taking over the Orchard Shopping Centre on Friday and Saturday to give details of the plans and to ask for the public’s support.

The new block would replace the World War Two facilities on the current site.

Project director Ian Boswall said: “We think people will be surprised to learn that we are still working out of 60-year-old buildings that were originally built for temporary use. “We offer a high quality service in spite of out of date facilities. “Replacing our 1940s ward block with a high quality 21st century unit that is safe and modern is now essential. “The Surgical Ward Building will provide 112 single bedrooms all with en suite washing, shower and WC facilities.

“This will provide a safer healthcare environment that meets patients’ needs and expectations.

“We are grateful that the managerial team at the refurbished Orchard Shopping Centre have allowed us this opportunity to get out and talk to the people of Somerset.”

Chief Executive Jo Cubbon added: “A new surgical block to replace our old buildings is an absolute must for our patients.

“They deserve a state of the art ward block and we are determined to provide it.”

Shoppers will be transported back to the 1940s with a display of old photographs of the hospital, a US military medical jeep and music of the time, and will be asked to consider how the hospital has managed to provide healthcare in buildings built during that era.

There will also be a display setting out what the new ward block will look like and the facilities it will replace, with key staff answering questions and handing out leaflets explaining the project. In addition, members of the public will be invited to leave their views and comments in a special video diary room set up in a World War Two tent.