Princess to open new hospital

Lichfield's newest hospital is to be officially opened with a royal visit, more than a year after staff started work.

The Princess Royal will visit the Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, off Trent Valley Road, on January 15.

Healthcare bosses in the area are keen to show Princess Anne how the £17million hospital benefits patients in the district by allowing them to receive care closer to home.

Building work at The Samuel Johnson Hospital in Lichfield started in April 2005, and it was handed over to South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) last October. It opened on January 8 this year.

The hospital has an X-ray service, renal clinic, outpatients department and can care for people with minor injuries.

Renal wards at both Hammerwich and Victoria Hospitals were moved across to the new 52-bed hospital along with a rehabilitation service, maternity and physiotherapy departments.

Mark Docherty, PCT head of operations said,: "The visit by the Princess Royal will take place in the morning and will last for just over an hour.

"We have been trying for a long time to secure a royal visit and to have Princess Anne come to Lichfield will be quite an accolade."

Later she will visit Walsall Citizens Advice Bureau.