FINALISED plans for the new Newton Community Hospital have been revealed in preparation for the anticipated autumn opening.

The £10 million redevelopment of the Mellor site, on Bradlegh Road, will provide primary and secondary care for residents of Halton St Helens and the surrounding areas.

Welcomed by the local authority and GPs, the hospital will deliver outpatient clinics with 40 per cent more capacity than previously, x-ray facilities, GP services and a 30-bed inpatient unit.

Karen Kay, deputy project director, said: "It will enhance current existing NHS facilities in the area and offer people the opportunity to access high quality patient care from a range of highly skilled professionals."

Full planning permission for the major application was granted in June 2006.

Plans to modernise the old hospital saw Halton and St Helens Primary Care Trust work closely with community groups, councillors and other interested parties.

Miss/Mrs Kay said: "The development provides a facility that is capable of meeting the ever growing demand for community health services and yet flexible enough to move with the rapid changes that are taking place within medicine and 21st century health care.

She added: "This is a fantastic development which has been shaped by the community it will serve, offers people the very highest quality of health care from a modern purpose-built facility and is one of only a small number evident in the whole of the UK."

What do you think of the new Newton Community Hospital?

Contact Miranda Newey on 434111 or e-mail miranda.newey@guardian grp.co.uk