THE Accident and Emergency Department at Arrowe Park Hospital is to receive a major £1.2 million facelift in time for its 20th anniversary. The eight month project, to upgrade more than half of the Department, starts shortly and is scheduled for completion before Christmas.

Hospital officials say it should result in a faster, more accessible service for the 90,000 patients who attend the Department every year. It will also provide them with more user-friendly surroundings.

Among the improvements to be made are 12 wheelchair-accessible cubicles in the Minor Injuries Treatment Area, an improved Children's Area, a new front entrance with automatic doors and better information for patients about when they will be seen.

Directorate Manager for A&E, Jo Goodfellow, said: "This is a very exciting opportunity for us to update our Minor Injuries and Paediatric Treatment Areas and offer up-to-the-minute care for anyone requiring emergency treatment on Wirral."

She added: "We will remain open to treat accident and emergency patients throughout the eight month building programme and would ask that the public remember that the Department's role is strictly to treat sudden, serious illnesses or injuries needing specialised emergency treatment.

"We would ask for public support in considering other options, where appropriate. However, we would urge them to attend A&E if necessary."

Director of operations and chief nurse Paul Holt added: "We would like to apologise to the public in advance for any inconvenience caused, but can assure people that we will do our utmost to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum."

During the daytime, a team of Welcome Volunteers will meet patients as they enter A&E, direct them to the appropriate part of the Department and present them with a leaflet explaining what to expect.