King George Hospital has reopened its children’s ward.

Hospital staff hope the eight-bed Dahlia ward, which opened earlier this month, will help manage what they expect to be a difficult winter.

The former children’s ward at the hospital in Goodmayes was temporarily closed during the pandemic and converted into a critical care unit.

It is hoped that the reopened ward will enable care for children who only need a short hospital stay, allowing Queen’s Hospital to focus on more seriously ill children.

Catherine Le-Mar, clinical ward manager, said: “Having this additional capacity will be really important this winter, and will allow us more flexibility when caring for sick children.

"It will also reduce pressure on our emergency department.

“It will be much better for families who, in many cases, will be able to take their child home quicker, with the necessary advice and reassurance.