YOUNGSTERS now have a place to be entertained while they wait for appointments at Colchester General Hospital, thanks to a bright idea from a healthcare assistant.

A children's corner with special chairs, books and toys has been installed at the main outpatient department at the hospital.

The initiative is the idea of Kayleigh Brown, 30, who works in the department and has three sons of her own aged four, seven and ten.

Ms Brown said the experience of taking her own children to hospital helped her come up with the idea.

She said: "It’s not a good experience for young children or their parents if they come to hospital for an appointment and there’s nothing for them to do.

"I’ve been in that position myself as a parent and I know it’s much better for everyone if you can keep young children occupied.

"There’s also plenty of evidence to show that if children have a positive experience of hospital when they are very young, they will feel comfortable about returning."

Ms Brown has donated some of her children's toys to help boost the number in the corner.

Although the children’s unit at Colchester General Hospital has its own outpatient department, it does not have enough capacity to accommodate every paediatric clinic.

Many children’s clinics, such as in the orthopaedic and urology specialties, are held in the hospital’s main outpatient department.