Recently, Andrew Lansley, Shadow Health Secretary, and I were invited to Alder Hey Children’s hospital. We were given a tour of the facilities and met with staff and patients, not only from Liverpool but from around the country.

As part of the visit, we were shown the hospital’s new state of the art MRI scanner – the first of its type in Western Europe. Providing vital imaging to surgeons during operations ensures they remove tumours with complete accuracy first time, and the technology and the results it demonstrates looked amazing and really makes a difference during surgery.

We were also given an overview of the hospitals trust vision for a new Children’s Health Park at Alder Hey. There are plans for new wards, research facilities and significant landscaping of the whole site. The hospital’s management were very passionate about the project and believe the park will be world class.

I am delighted to support their lobby for the Health Park and believe it would bring huge benefits to Liverpool. The park could improve patients health, regenerate the area and bring new jobs and high quality skills to West Derby.

Mr Lansley and I were particularly impressed by the dedication, professionalism and commitment from the staff at Alder Hey and many patients and their families agreed. Considering the Victorian building and difficult circumstances they work in, the Alder Hey staff do a fantastic job and have my full support in their bid for a new facility.