The women and children's hospital will replace existing Victorianmaternity and children's hospitals at the Royal Belfast Hospital forSick Children, the only dedicated hospital for children in NorthernIreland.
New in-patient wards will see the age of children who can be treated atthe hospital rise from 13 to 16. And a direct link built between thewomen and children's hospitals will mean sick babies will no longer needto be transported in ambulances.
Brenda Creaney, principal nurse and directorate manager at the hospital'said it would be working with children's groups when it starts designingthe hospital. "We have a number of partnerships with service users suchas women's groups, so we won't only be involving children but entirefamilies."
Construction is due to start by May 2008 and finished completely by2017.
