Wirral's main hospital is set for a £28m upgrade aimed at "transforming" urgent care in the borough.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust (WUTH), the trust which runs Arrowe Park Hospital, has submitted a planning application to Wirral Council to completely redevelop the Accident and Emergency unit and the Urgent Treatment Centre, which is currently based next door on the same site and is run by Wirral Community Health and Care Trust.

It is the biggest investment in the hospital since it opened 40 years ago and will see patients attending either the Emergency Department or the Urgent Treatment Centre enter at a single point and be directed to the correct place for their care. The work will also see a new Children's Emergency Department created.

The building will be two storeys high and will include an extension to the Emergency Department end of the current hospital building. Janelle Holmes, chief executive of WUTH, said: "This is a significant step forward for this project which will completely transform urgent and emergency care on the Wirral.

"Arrowe Park Hospital is the only acute and emergency care facility in the locality and it's vital that our patients can access the best treatment and care. It is fantastic that work will be underway as we celebrate the hospital's 40th anniversary year."

This is what the hospital could look like after the upgrade (Credit DAY Architectural Ltd)

The design of the exterior of the new facility has been inspired by the geological elements found naturally in the local area such as sandstone. It has also been especially designed to be aesthetically in keeping with the surrounding landscape.

The front of the building will also feature a landscaped pedestrian area, relocating the current ambulance bays, which will improve traffic flow through the site. A new, dedicated ambulance entrance has been designed to give patients enhanced privacy.

As well as these improvements, a new, larger ambulance set down area will be built at the side of the facility allowing up to eight ambulances at a time. Early enablement work is due to begin at the hospital with the main construction work set to start in September.

The Queen opened Arrowe Park hospital 40 years ago

The Emergency Department and Urgent Treatment Centres will still be open during the construction period. Patients will be able to use all the normal hospital services, and plans are in place to minimise any impact on patients attending the hospital.

Karen Howell, chief executive at Wirral Community Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Access to urgent care for those in most need should be as easy and accessible as possible and in an environment that reflects the quality of the care we give. The new facility will enable this to happen and ensure people get the right care at the right time and in the right place.

"We are proud to be a partner in this exciting development in Wirral bringing together urgent care services around the needs of our shared communities."