AIREDALE Hospital's new £6.3 million emergency department is opening early next month.

The state-of-the-art unit will become operational on December 3, it was revealed this week.

An official opening ceremony will take place next year.

A £100,000 appeal to fund vital resources for the new department is over a third of the way towards its target.

Meg Crossley, consultant in emergency medicine and the project lead, paid tribute to everyone who had given their backing.

Staff, patients, businesses, community organisations and individuals have given donations and staged events to boost the coffers.

"So far we have raised around £38,000," said Mrs Crossley.

"We have had great support and we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has raised money for us so far."

Contractor Willmott Dixon is now carrying out finishing touches to the new department.

"It has been purpose-built to our specification and will offer huge improvements for all patients, including better facilities for children and families," added Mrs Crossley.

Provision will include a specialist Butterfly Room to help vulnerable patients suffering from dementia, and three distraction walls in the children’s assessment and treatment areas.

There will also be an interactive floor in the children's waiting room. The facility was displayed during an open day at the hospital, and received glowing feedback from the public.

And new equipment, including cardiac monitors, will improve care for the thousands who use the accident and emergency (A&E) department every year.

Of the 53,489 people who visited A&E last year, 5,012 of them were aged five and under.

Mrs Crossley stressed the importance of facilities such as the distraction walls for youngsters.

"They will be wall-to-ceiling and play a vital role in helping parents entertain their child if they become agitated or distressed," she said.

"The walls are so important for children who find coming into hospital – particularly in an emergency situation – quite frightening."