The Canberra Liberals have called on the ACT Labor-Greens government to immediately ensure the paediatric emergency wing at the Canberra Hospital is operating at full capacity.

Leanne Castley, shadow minister for health, will introduce a Motion into the Legislative Assembly today condemning the government for mothballing the paediatric emergency wing and calling for its immediate and permanent reopening and staffing.

About one in four emergency presentations involve sick kids, Ms Castley remarked, but the hospital’s dedicated children’s triage and treatment space has not operated at full capacity since April.

The $5.8 million dedicated emergency service for children – comprising six beds, two consultation rooms, and private waiting area – opened in May 2016.

But between April and August, Ms Castley states, Canberra’s paediatric emergency department only operated half the time; paediatric staff were transferred to the adult emergency department.

Since August, the paediatric emergency department has only been open and operating about 20 per cent of the time.

“The paediatric ED is an essential service for our sick kids, and the government has to stop operating or not operating it on the whim of some hospital executive,” Ms Castley said.

“The unit is a much-needed safe haven for sick kids and their families to reduce their anxiety at what is often a dreadful time.

“It is unacceptable for the government to be mothballing the paediatric emergency wing and forcing children into the adult emergency department where they are exposed to adult patients who may have mental health challenges or be drug or alcohol affected.

“I am also calling on the government to make a commitment to keep the paediatric emergency wing permanently open to provide the best health care to our kids,” Ms Castley said.

“The government must recognise paediatric ED as a vital part of children’s health care, and not open and close it on a whim.”