The children's emergency department at the county's busiest hospital has tripled in size.

Improvements at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) mean the new unit, which opened its doors in mid-December, now boasts a larger waiting room, enhanced clinical facilities and an expansion in mental health care for children in the department.

Laura Hall, children's emergency department lead sister said: 'For children and their families, coming into hospital as an emergency patient can be a stressful time. The expansion of the unit is already proving very beneficial to our younger patients and has enabled us to continue to deliver first class care.

'Increasing the size of the unit means a reduction in waiting times for our younger patients visiting A&E, and enhanced privacy for those patients who require it when they are receiving care.'

Dr Jane Evans, consultant in emergency medicine and service director for children's emergency medicine added: 'The teams involved in this expansion have worked tirelessly in the lead up to its opening, and I'd like to say a massive thank you to all those for making it possible.

'There's been a fantastic response in terms of recruiting new members of staff to the unit and we're pleased to be introducing additional nursing staff, as well as a new play specialist and an additional service director.'

The expansion of the children's emergency department comes as the hospital also opened the UK's first older people's emergency department which also opened mid-December.

• If you or someone you know would be interested in a career within the newly-expanded children's emergency department at NNUH, contact Jane Evans on 01603 287452.