THE official opening of Tewkesbury Hospital was marked with a visit from HRH Princess Anne.

The purpose-built hospital played host to The Princess Royal, accompanied by the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter, for the official opening ceremony on Wednesday.

Ingrid Barker, Chair of Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust which runs the hospital, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Princess Royal to mark the opening of our hospital in Tewkesbury, which has been providing a first class service since its completion.”

The Princess Royal toured the hospital with Matron Julie Ellery, meeting ward staff, volunteers, patients and members of the hospital’s League of Friends and unveiled a plaque commemorating the visit.

Mrs Ellery said: “Everyone here is very excited. I have a great team here and we are all proud to be serving the people of Tewkesbury from this fantastic hospital.

“They do a brilliant job, and being able to do that in a high quality building gives you a dignified and professional feeling. Throughout the time we have been open, we have steadily increased the number and variety of outpatients clinics to provide a greater range of services for the town, as well as developing new services for inpatients such as reminiscence and exercise groups.

“We now have a mobile chemotherapy service provided by the charity, Hope for Tomorrow, in conjunction with Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which was the first of its kind in the world, and which is a great addition to the hospital.”