Health Minister Opens Hospital’s ‘Incredible New Site’

HEALTH minister Alan Johnson visited Liverpool yesterday to open the redeveloped Broadgreen and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospitals’ site.

He unveiled a plaque to officially open the pounds 84m development, which includes an urology outpatients centre, an orthopaedic operating theatre, referred to as a barn theatre due to its size, and an ear, nose and throat ward.

For the Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, the redevelopment has provided a 40-bed critical care area, a new 28-bed acute ward and new theatres.

He said: “I have seen lots of hospitals and this is an incredible facility, equally better than anything you will find in the private or public sector. It has a real wow factor.

“It has shown me how the NHS is changing and developing every year. It has also shown me, once again, the dedication of staff within the NHS. This has been a hugely successful partnership between the two trusts and I have great pleasure to officially open this facility.”

The minister also visited Liverpool Lighthouse, based in Anfield, to learn about the work they are doing to tackle alcohol abuse. The community organisation is working with Liverpool PCT and its Psst campaign to help address the city’s drinking habits.

Mr Johnson said: “We face many health concerns as a country and community involvement is essential to address them.

“What I have seen here is exactly what should be happening.”

Judith Greensmith, chairwoman of the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, said after the event: “The redevelopment of the Broadgreen Hospital site has enabled services to improve in many ways.

“Clinical teams are now able to provide cuttingedge services in state-of – the-art facilities which mean they can offer a quicker, more responsive service to patients.

“Also, we have created a better, more attractive and pleasant environment for our patients.”

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