TV and radio presenter Nicholas Owen helps open the newly-refurbished reception area and outpatients wing of Spire Gatwick Park Hospital in Horley
Veteran TV and radio presenter Nicholas Owen officially opened the newly-refurbished reception area and outpatients wing of Spire Gatwick Park Hospital in Horley last night (Nov 2) and spoke of his life-saving operation which took place there 14 years ago.
The well-known face of BBC News, and presenter of Classic FM on Saturday afternoons, told guests at the celebration on Wednesday, November 2, how consultants at the hospital had diagnosed, and then removed, a tumour on his kidney in 2002.
“It was life-saving and life changing,” he said. “And just goes to show the importance of having regular check-ups.”
With a clean bill of health, he is still a regular visitor to the hospital in Povey Cross Road and said he thought the new-look reception and outpatients wing was “a wonderful transformation”.
“I will always remember the care, concern and consideration you have given me,” he told nurses, consultants and staff gathered at the celebration. “You saved my life.”
The £1m investment in the refurbishment has transformed and increased the size of the outpatient area where 70,000 patient appointments take place each year. The reception area has been upgraded, the consultant rooms have been given a makeover and the hospital now has a full-field digital mammography machine which supports its one-stop breast clinics.
Warm greys and raspberry colours, new furniture, and abstract and floral artwork have brought an atmosphere of stylish calm to the interior. The choice of colour and artwork was made by staff under the direction of operations manager Evelyn Hagger who coordinated the project, with all technical works overseen by the hospital’s own engineers, led by David Gantlett.
Work began in January and finished just last month (October). Despite affecting nearly a quarter of the hospital building, none of its services were reduced or disrupted thanks to careful signage and extra staff employed to act as guides, rerouting patients to temporary consultant and examination rooms.
“I am very proud of the way every department pulled together to make this happen seamlessly to avoid any inconvenience to our patients,” said John Crisp, Spire Gatwick Park Hospital Director. “Our outpatient area is the first impression a patient will have of the hospital, so we hope the new calm and smart interior will help put them at ease. The quality of the environment in which they are being seen by consultants is all part of our focus on delivering a high quality service.”
The refurbishment is part of an ongoing investment in Spire Gatwick Park Hospital which is part of the award-winning Spire Healthcare, a leading independent hospital group in the United Kingdom. With more than 30 years’ experience, Spire Gatwick Park offers a range of treatments and services from dermatology and urology clinics to cosmetic and weight loss surgery, supported by the latest in diagnostic and imaging services.
Consultants hold regular, and free, patient information evenings at the hospital which are open to all. The next one will be a fertility treatment information evening on Wednesday, November 30 at 7pm, hosted by consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician Mr Ehab Kelada.
For more information visit spirehealthcare.com/gatwickpark
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