£17m new hospital to launch

Healthcare for patients across Lichfield and Burntwood enters a new era in 2007 as a new £17 million community hospital opens its doors for business.

In recent weeks NHS staff have been working to transfer services to the Samuel Johnson Community Hospital, in Lichfield, and it is set to be fully operational by January 12.

Equipment is being delivered, telephone lines installed and staff training taking place on new systems, which are also being tested, before the hospital opens to the public.

And the transfer will be gradually phased in early January to ensure patients are ready for the move.

The Samuel Johnson Community Hospital will replace the Victoria Hospital in Lichfield, and the Hammerwich Hospital at Burntwood.

South Staffordshire Primary Care Trust (PCT), which is responsible for the new facility, was handed the keys in October from building contractors Laing O'Rourke, and the moving-in timetable was started.

Earlier this month an open day was staged for the general public.

It has also been revealed that staff have raised around £90,000 to help buy equipment for the new hospital, by staging a variety of fundraisers.