Countess of Wessex marks hospital redevelopment

5:56pm Wednesday 4th April 2007

THE Countess of Wessex was in the region today to officially mark a hospital's multi-million pound redevelopment.

The £21m scheme at Northallerton's Friarage Hospital, which was completed last summer, includes a refurbished maternity unit and a neonatal department and children's unit.

"I have met a lot of happy staff and happy staff means happy patients. I hope everything continues to go very well here."

The Countess of Wessex

The countess, wearing a pillar box red suit and pearls, was greeted by flag-waving children from the Friarage Hospital Play Group.

Lord Crathorne, the Lord Lieutenant of North Yorkshire, accompanied the countess and introduced her to local dignitaries, including Northallerton's mayor and mayoress, David and Shirley Blades, chairman of North Yorkshire County Council, Margaret Hulme, and chief executive of Hambleton District Council, Peter Simpson.

During her tour, she paid a visit to patients in the women's health unit and the special baby care unit.

And she received a special gift from five-year-old Grace Maddison-Potts, a pupil at Bolton-on-Swale School, near Richmond, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in June 2004.

Grace, who has been in remission for six months, gave the countess a framed painting of a bright pink castle.

The countess concluded her visit by carefully fixing the final piece of a maple wood plaque in place.

"You may wonder why I gave it the extra shove but I have done enough of these unveilings to know something can go wrong," she said. "Thank you very much for inviting me and what a marvellous hospital you have got, congratulations to all involved.

"I have met a lot of happy staff and happy staff means happy patients. I hope everything continues to go very well here."

Afterwards, the countess, who is also Colonel in Chief of the Queen Alexander Royal Nursing Corps, was given a framed picture of a military coat of arms from five-year-old Oliver Francis and a posy from four-year-old Ella Kate Sharpe.

Glenys Marriott, chairman of South Tees NHS Trust, said she was delighted at the visit, particularly as there are over 100 army nurses on site.

She said she was thrilled with the community's support of the children's unit and grateful for the help of over 200 volunteers from the Friends of the Friarage who raised £700,000 to kit it out.

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