Plans for new hospital unveiled

The new hospital will be built in nearby Springfield Park

Liverpool health bosses have revealed designs for the new £370m Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

The NHS Foundation Trust wants to demolish the existing Edwardian buildings and rebuild the hospital in nearby Springfield Park.

Many of its departments will be brought closer together in the new site, which also includes gardens, a 1,200-space car park and helicopter landing pad.

Liverpool City Council granted outline planning permission in 2006.

Hospital bosses said the concept is for a children's health park, allowing opportunities for children to play and enjoy the landscape.

Deputy Chief Executive Terry Windle said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to rebuild Alder Hey.

The hospital will be brought into the 21st Century

"It's a brand new building and the beauty of that is that we are going to put the building in the park.

"The great thing for us is that because we have agreement in principle to build in the park, it means that we can position the wards facing the green space."

Many of the hospital buildings were built in or around 1911 and their current layout poses problems for staff, patients and visitors.

"In essence, we are having to spend a lot of money on maintenance just to keep the place running, which is not the best use of taxpayers' money in the long run," added Mr Windle.

"Many of our departments are not close enough to each other, so it's not a great experience for children, and parents to have to travel a quarter of a mile down corridors."

A full detailed planning application is expected to be submitted to Liverpool City Council next month.