A SPECIALIST Accident & Emergency unit for children is to be set up at a Wirral hospital.

The new unit will work alongside the existing A&E department at Arrowe Park Hospital and will be staffed with specialist doctors and nurses.

Approximately 20% of people seen in Arrowe Park Hospital A&E department each year are aged 16 and under, around 24,000 children and young people.

Hospital managers say that although there is a small designated Children's Area within the current A&E, it is not possible, largely because of staffing problems and the layout, for children arriving as an emergency always to be seen in this area.

As a result they often have to wait in the same area as adult patients.

A spokesman said the new unit will act as a separate department from the existing A&E, although the two will work closely together.

Around 16,000 children are brought to A&E and further 8,000 are seen each year in the Walk-in-Centre, with 14,000 seen at the Out-of-Hours centre in the hospital.

This equates to 38,000 children and young people coming to the Arrowe Park site as an emergency.

A report by chief executive of Wirral Hospital Trust, Frank Burns, said there is a need to focus not only on treatment but also on providing children and their families with advice on accident prevention and health promotion.

But he said this is often difficult to do within a busy, largely adult-focused A&E Department.

Mr Burns added: "Young people have been asked to comment on design of this area and have been consulted, via the Youth Forums, about what they would like to see provided in this area.

"A sixth form student from Weatherhead High School has drawn up some ideas for the interior design and further consultation is planned involving local young people.

"Building work is scheduled to begin in September 2005 with a completion date of July 2006. A large amount of maintenance work is required (re-wiring and roof repairs). There will be a separate reception and child-friendly waiting area; purpose-built consulting rooms and treatment zone; and a confidential area where child protection issues can be discussed."

It has also been agreed that the Paediatric Assessment Unit, which currently deal with urgent cases sent to the hospital by GPs, will move downstairs to be with the Children's Urgent Care Facility.

Funding has also been agreed to appoint an A&E Consultant with a high level of training, experience and interest in children to provide clinical leadership for the new service.

A full report by Mr Burns is to be presented to the Social Care and Health Select Committee of Wirral Council on Wednesay.