Making way for Bristol's new £430 million super-hospital, demolition work has begun on the city's current medical facilities.

In recent weeks, many of Southmead Hospital's existing buildings have been demolished to make way for a cutting edge hospital that will combine Southmead and Frenchay hospital services.

Due to be finished by 2014 according to developers Carillion, it is expected that the innovative new facility will provide a boost to healthcare recruitment, offering vacancies for those in physiotherapy jobs and nurse manager roles. Featuring 800 new beds, a new Accident and Emergency Department and a community hospital, the facility has been welcomed by health commentators.

As well as medical facilities, plans include a 550 space multi-storey car park, according to ThisisBristol.co.uk, providing ease of parking for those visiting loved ones.

Chief executive of the North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT), Ruth Brunt, commented to the BBC that the redevelopment was challenging but worthwhile, saying: ''This has been something of a juggling act, ensuring that services located on the footprint of the new hospital are relocated in time for the demolition work to get under way.''

''It is incredibly exciting to see work get under way after all these years of planning and to see our new hospital facilities finally begin to take shape.''