HOSPITAL appointments for children at the Royal Bolton will be urgently moved to the town centre, it has been revealed.

The Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) approved a request by Bolton NHS Foundation Trust to move children’s outpatient services to Bolton One, following criticism that the current consulting rooms at the hospital and Halliwell Children’s Centre were dilapidated and "a risk" to staff and patients.

Also on the move are some outpatient services at the Minerva Day Hospital, which currently houses clinics including cardiology, urology and endocrinology — but it has not yet been decided which services will relocate.

At the board meeting of Bolton CCG, members heard how the £31 million Bolton One has been under-used since it opened in 2012 — with only half of the space available being used.

Dr Wirin Bhatiani, chairman of the CCG, said by moving services they could make better use of the centre in Moor Lane.

He said: “It is very clear where we are. In terms of the quality of the estates for the outpatients, it is very poor and we can’t get away from that.

“Bolton One is one of our major flagship centres and has been under-utilised.

“We need to start doing something about using that fantastic estate, and this may be a step in the right direction.”

Under the new plans the children’s outpatients department would go on the second floor of Bolton One, while services from the Minerva Day Hospital would be place on the ground and first floor.

GPs on the CCG board also said work should be done to make sure Bolton One becomes a "child friendly environment", that there is enough parking and that staff are properly consulted about the plans.

Stephen Tyldesley, divisional director of operations for estates and facilities at the Royal Bolton, said it was good news that the CCG had accepted the bid to move services.

He said: "We're very pleased that the CCG has approved the relocation of Children's Outpatients Services, both at the Royal Bolton Hospital and Halliwell Children's Centre, and Outpatient Services at Minerva Day Hospital, to Bolton One.

“The relocation of these services is part of a wide ranging estates strategy aimed at ensuring patient services are provided from modern facilities.

“There is further work to be done to establish exactly how and when this will happen but we will keep patients and staff informed and ensure that services are relocated with the minimum of disruption."