Critical care services for children in North and East Yorkshire have received a £2 million boost.

The cash will pay for six new beds, seven specialist doctors, 12 nurses, support staff and training.

North Yorkshire's allocation of £2.05m is split between the region's two leading centres.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust receives £1,052,100 and Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust £997,900. Medical retrieval teams based at Newcastle and Leeds who collect desperately-ill youngsters from all over the region will also be strengthened.

Part of the cash will fund a consultant post and a practice development co-ordinator at Hull's Royal Hospital Trust. Three new critical care beds will be created in both Leeds and Newcastle.

Also in Leeds a further bed will be opened for the winter period and another will be available if there is extra demand.

andrew.hitchon@ycp.co.uk