In its commitment to meeting the health-care needs of its neighbors, Christiana Care Health System has announced plans to transform health care for women, children and infants throughout the state with a $260 million enhancement project at Christiana Hospital.

A new Women and Children’s building — developed in collaboration with patients and their families — will better integrate services for mothers and babies and continue to provide an exceptional birth experience for families in Delaware and the region.

“This important investment in our community will advance the most innovative, high-quality, comprehensive specialty care for women, children and babies,” said Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and chief executive officer of Christiana Care Health System.

The proposed eight-story Women and Children’s building will include:

• A new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to replace the current NICU, featuring private rooms with sleep-in space for families.

• New and expanded labor and delivery suites.

• Private rooms for families after delivery.

• An expanded triage area.

• A new labor lounge.

• Separate admitting and discharge areas for the convenience of our patients.

• The Continuing Care Nursery for babies with newborn jaundice, feeding challenges, neonatal abstinence syndrome and other health problems.

Christiana Care presented the project to the Delaware Health Resources Board (DHRB) as part of the state’s Certificate of Public Review process. Plans for the proposed project were submitted to the DHRB on Oct. 1. Christiana Care plans to break ground in April 2017, with completion expected in 2020. The project includes both new construction and renovation of existing facilities within the current Women and Children’s building, which opened in 1995.

Complementing the Women and Children’s project will be a four-level parking garage near the hospital’s main entrance for patients and visitors and a new employee parking deck behind Christiana Hospital.

The project is informed by valuable insight from patients and their loved ones serving on the health system’s Women and Children’s Patient and Family Advisory Committee.

“Christiana Care is planning for the future of women and children’s health in the Delaware region by collaborating with the patients and families they serve,” said Amanda Sleeper, Ph.D., co-chair of Christiana Hospital’s volunteer Patient and Family Advisory Council.

Last year, more than 6,450 babies were born at Christiana Hospital — making Christiana Hospital one of the busiest maternity centers on the East Coast.

“At the foundation of Christiana Care’s innovative model of women and children’s services is a stronger partnership between women and their health care providers to ensure optimal health prior to pregnancy, provide increased access to prenatal care during pregnancy, and give babies the healthiest start possible once they are born,” said David A. Paul, M.D., chair of Pediatrics and clinical leader of Christiana Care’s Women and Children’s service line. “Through this project, our investments in our community — concrete, programmatic and collaborative — will strengthen the health of women and children in Delaware and our region.”