Pictured above: (l-r) Ben Reid, hospital Trust chairman, and
Sue James, hospital chief executive
The phased opening of the £170 million new Walsall Manor
Hospital began on Thursday 20th May with the official launch of the
Family Health and Diagnostics Centre.
The Centre is the first of three state-of-the-art new buildings
that will see the completion of the hospital redevelopment this
summer. The Centre opens to the public on Monday (24 May).
Sharing the official opening with around 100 dignitaries, MPs,
hospital supporters, volunteers, community leaders and staff were a
number of people born at the Manor who were invited back as VIP
guests.
They all had memorable stories to tell - from the Manor hospital
midwife of 20 years, to twins returning after nearly 60 years, to
the 12-year-old who weighed just 1lb 1oz when born, even the young
woman who was born feet first in the car park!!
Accessed via a stunning new main entrance in Pleck Road, the
Centre will provide state-of-the-art facilities for women and
children, with two new gynaecology theatres, the hospital's first
dedicated child-friendly paediatric theatre, a sensory room, an
audiology room and other services.
Sue James, Walsall Manor Hospital's chief executive, said: "We
believe the new Centre will transform the care we are able to offer
primarily to women and children from Walsall and beyond."
The hospital's new Outpatients Department and Day Case Centre
opens in September.
Local mothers and children were also given a special preview
today, with face painters, clowns and a Punch and Judy to help them
enjoy their visit - along with a specially created art project in
which they made 'spoon' doctors and nurses.
Following the formal handover, the VIPs and guests were given
special preview tours of the new facilities.