A FAMILY open day is being held at Runcorn’s Halton Hospital.

Members of the public are invited to come and see what goes on behind the scenes on Sunday, September 7, from 11am to 3pm.

There will be tours of operating theatres, wards and various departments, stalls offering health advice, talks from nurses and doctors from the hospital teams and demonstrations from the emergency services.

Visitors will also be able to have a look around the neighbouring Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre.

Chief executive Mel Pickup said: “We’re really pleased to bring our open day to Halton General and the Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre this year and we’re hoping for a great turnout.

“Our tours behind the scenes give people a chance to see parts of the hospital that they don’t usually see and it’s a chance to find out more about us and what we’re doing at the hospitals.

“We’ve got lots going on through the day and it’s a perfect event for the whole family to drop in and see the fantastic facilities we have at the treatment centre and Halton General.

“ We know how much pride there is in the hospital amongst local people and the site is busier than ever so we’re delighted to give people the chance to come and find out more about us.”

There’s also plenty for families to do with face painting, a bouncy castle, giant operation game, music and performances during the day.

Community groups and other health partners will also be on hand and running stalls and there’s career advice for people considering a career in the NHS.

The main event will take place in and around the Cheshire and Merseyside Treatment Centre which is the hospital’s orthopaedic surgery centre located at the back of the hospital site. Tours will run to departments at the main Halton General site during the day.

The day concludes with the Warrington and Halton Hospitals annual members meeting at 3pm in the hospital education centre where people can come and find out more about how the hospital trust performed over the last year and the trust’s plans for the future.

This is the fourth year of the hospital family open day which has been held at Warrington Hospital in the past and regularly attracts up to 700 visitors.