A NEW emergency department for children and young people is being opened at the James Cook University Hospital at Middlesbrouogh.

It will provide special separate waiting areas for different age groups with dedication observation, treatment and resusciation and sensory rooms. There will also be a breastfeeding room and a mental health assessment room.

South Tees NHS Foundation Trust said the new separate department is only the second to be opened in the North East and they're planning to have it finished by the end of April.

It will offer emergency care for the 25,000 patients a year which normally use the hospital catering for new born babies to 18 year olds

They say currently young patients are treated in separate areas within the main emergency department. In the new centre everything from art work to patients meals will be designed with children and young people in mind.

Emergency department service manager Julie Suckling said: "This redevelopment will enable us to create patient-centred spaces, designed to deliver world-class care for some of our region’s most seriously ill children and young people. We aim to deliver leading edge care in a modern and welcoming environment to make sure each patient’s journey through the department is as comfortable and as positive an experience as possible."

To help fund it South Tees has set up www.justgiving.com/campaign/therainbowappeal