The construction of Swindon's first ever Children's Emergency Unit has been completed at Great Western Hospital.

The emergency unit was designed by young people in the town who contributed their ideas to the construction.

It marks the next stage in the Great Western Hospital's Trust 'Integrated Front Door' plan, and will improve urgent and emergency care for under 18s by bringing together children’s emergency care with paediatric assessment.

The new Children’s Emergency Unit is made up of 13 cubicles, two high acuity bays, one resuscitation bay, a baby and breastfeeding room, a sensory play room and a wellbeing room.

It's hoped that this will help neurodivergent children and young patients experiencing mental health struggles to have a calmer experience at the hospital, with specific areas to cater to their needs.

The construction of the building was officially completed on Tuesday, October 1, and children from Shaw Ridge Primary School celebrated with NHS staff in the ribbon cutting ceremony.

A spokesperson for the Great Western Hospitals Trust said: "Thank you to our staff, construction partners and all the young people we worked with who helped us design this fantastic new service."

This new development is part of a programme of works investing into Great Western Hospital in Swindon.

Just one month ago, the £33.5 million expansion of Swindon's urgent and emergency care centre opened to the public after five months of construction.

The 1,492sq m extension is the biggest-ever investment into the GWH site and is 60 per cent larger than the old A&E to help cope with increasing demand and Swindon’s growing population.

As of October 2024, Great Western Hospital’s new Emergency Department has now treated over 2,000 patients in a successful first month.