Health minister John Denham today welcomed plans to move a children's hospital in Brighton.
He visited the Royal Alexandra hospital in Dyke Road, which has been caring for youngsters for more than a century.
It will move to a new unit at the Royal Sussex County Hospital by 2007 in a £28 million scheme.
Mr Denham said: "It is obvious that this is a much-loved hospital. We need the new unit, which will be provided as part of a huge hospital building programme, but it must continue the goodwill known to generations of local people."
Professor Michael Whiting, chairman of Brighton Health Care NHS Trust, said: "The minister saw old and out-of-date wards and operating theatres. Staff have to put in enormous extra effort."
Mr Denham also discussed the move to provide a medical school in Brighton and Hove.
Later he saw a tapestry at Brighton Town Hall, created by older people and youngsters from Brighton and France.
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