A MERSEYSIDE teenager has helped design a new state-of-the-art health centre.

Chris Browne, 15, from Kirkby, spotted a need for smooth wheelchair lanes at the entrance to health and social care buildings so wheelchair users can get in easier.

His idea is now being used in the new Bluebell Health Centre, in Huyton, which is due to open in the summer.

The teenager is a member of LINked-Up, a youth group in Knowsley that gives young people a say in health services.

Knowsley Health and Wellbeing – a partnership between the borough council and PCT– has now won two prizes at NHS North West Inspiration awards for involving the group. Liz Gaulton, service director for family support and children’s health at Knowsley Health and Wellbeing, said: “Chris’s idea is so important to disabled people and just the sort of innovation we were looking for. With Chris’s help, we were able to gain an insight into the everyday life of a wheelchair user and hope that the changes we will be making to our buildings as a result will have a positive effect on other wheelchair users across Knowsley.”