Stephen-Smith says emergency paediatric space closures don't affect quality of care

The paediatric emergency department ward at Canberra Hospital. Picture by Jamila Toderas

A paediatric space in Canberra Hospital's emergency department has not been operating full-time over the past six months due to staffing issues, the government has said.

The ward has been closed intermittently throughout this year with authorities citing patient safety as the department needed to "consolidate" its physical space during these pressures.