BUILDING work is now completed on the new £10 million critical care unit at Whiston Hospital.

The unit, due to open next month, will have additional specialised nursing and medical staff and extra coronary care and intensive care facilities.

"All the jigsaw pieces are now in place for our high-tech emergency services to take over from the older, less-effective, casualty department," said Ken Sanderson, chief executive for St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals Trust.

"The combined emergency services now available are the most advanced in the country and will greatly increase the chances of survival for motor accident victims and people with serious illness."

David Fillingham, chief executive of St Helens and Knowsley Health said: "We welcome the opening of Whiston's new critical care unit. It is clearly in the interests of people living in the district that we have the most modern and best-equipped accident and emergency units. We aim to ensure that patients get to the right place to receive the best possible treatment and care."

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