Aintree University Hospital to see £20m of improvements

If given planning permssion, the project will take two years to complete

A Merseyside hospital is to invest £20m in improving facilities for patients needing urgent care.

Aintree University Hospital is planning to extend its A&E department, including building "see and treat rooms".

The Critical Care department will have 24 more beds, the fracture clinic will move to a new department and the Cardiology unit will be centralised.

There will also be changes to the roads outside the hospital to improve access for ambulances and pedestrians.

The hospital trust, which is funding the improvements, has submitted plans to Liverpool City Council.

If approved, the work will take two years to complete. Patients, visitors and staff have been warned to expect disruption.

Catherine Beardshaw, the trust's chief executive, said: "We are about to embark on a very exciting project that will ensure we can provide the best quality care to patients in modern, fit-for-purpose facilities.

"The result will be a much more patient-friendly environment.

"The A&E department, fracture clinic, critical care and cardiology are some of our busiest areas. This project will help us meet demands for emergency care while providing that care in a fit for purpose, spacious environment."