Macclesfield General Hospital is hoping to add more office space to its site — in order to help it comply with Covid-19 guidance.

The Victoria Road facility says it will install a 200 square metre single-storey Portakabin in order to free up clinical space currently occupied by office staff.

It will be placed where an existing modular building sits.

In a statement to Cheshire East Council planners, East Cheshire NHS Trust wrote: "Following recent issues with regard to clinical space being used for non-clinical activities, and the impact this has had on our ability to follow integrated personal commissioning guidance in relation to Covid-19, the Trust has decided to consider the installation of a new refurbished modular office building which will based on the main site at Macclesfield.

"Currently the Occupational Health facilities are situated on a portion of the allocated site and will need to be removed as part of the scheme. The Occupational Health department will be moved to a New Wellbeing Hub (old Ward 6) which will be completed in March.

"The new fully refurbished building will be built in line with the building regulations and the finishes will be similar to that of a new build. This will create 18 new desk spaces in a fit for purpose environment.

"The additional capacity along with the introduction of the Remote Working Policy will help the Trust with continuing to support clinical services using clinical space appropriately and where it is needed."

It will not be open to the public and will predominantly be used by consultants with some office staff using the facilities, according to the Trust.