04.05.11
Hospital opens new outpatients department to mark its centenary
The Royal Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Birmingham has welcomed the first patients to its new outpatients department, just over 100 years since it was founded.
Work on a purpose-built department started back in summer 2009, to upgrade the facilities at the hospital which has been based at its Northfield site for just over a century.
Trust chief executive Penny Venables said yesterday (Tuesday): “It is with great pride that we open the doors to our new outpatients department today. We are confident that the new building will result in an improved healthcare experience for all patients, combining state of the art facilities with our expertise in all areas of orthopaedic treatment.
“Our staff members have been instrumental in the smooth transition between the old and new departments and I am very grateful for their hard work during this period. As a trust we can now look forward to continuing to provide the highest standards in specialist orthopaedic care.”
The site, known popularly as the Woodlands, was donated by George and Elizabeth Cadbury to the Crippled Children’s Union in 1909, before it became the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital.
New maple trees were also planted, thanks to donations, to mark the heritage of the site. The planting was done as part of the NHS Forests initiative, with the new trees providing a calming environment for patients, staff and visitors, as well as contributing to reducing the trust’s carbon footprint.
Patients arriving at the new outpatient building are greeted by hospital volunteers who help with checking-in and wayfinding.
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]