<p>We want to create a modern, welcoming and child-friendly environment fit for the 21st century, with improved facilities for patients and their families or carers. &nbsp;</p><p>The work would see the department, which is made up of the 24-bed Bergholt inpatient ward, a children’s outpatient department and a short stay Paediatric Assessment Unit, completely transformed.&nbsp;</p><p>Patients and their families have been involved in helping to draw up the plans, which include:&nbsp;</p><p>•Increasing outpatient clinic rooms from six to 14, with dedicated spaces allocated for specialist clinics such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis and physiotherapy&nbsp;</p><p>•Creating separate entrances for the outpatients and inpatients departments&nbsp;</p><p>•Adding multiple break-out play areas to give all children the chance to play&nbsp;</p><p>•Refurbishing the outside play area &nbsp;On the ward:&nbsp;</p><p>•En-suite rooms will increase from one to four and side rooms from seven to 10&nbsp;</p><p>•Dedicated teenage / young person spaces will be created&nbsp;</p><p>•The total number of beds will increase from 24 to 26, while more isolation cubicles will be available&nbsp;</p><p>•A two-bed high dependency area will be created&nbsp;</p><p>•More space will be provided in bays for specialist equipment and so that parents can stay with their children&nbsp;</p><p>•A separate dining area will be introduced so that patients can eat away from others who may be nil by mouth or have an eating disorder</p><p><a href="http://www.colchesteripswichcharity.org.uk/childrensappeal">Colchester & Ipswich Hospitals Charity</a> is now appealing for local businesses and individuals to give the appeal their backing by helping raise vital funds towards the total cost of the project, which would take place in phases over three years.</p>