Countess to open new projects

The Countess of Wessex: Oldham visitor

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THE Countess of Wessex is to give the Royal seal of approval to two multi-million projects in the borough.

The Countess, Sophie, will officially open the new £44 million women and children’s centre at the Royal Oldham Hospital on Thursday, June 13. She will also visit Kingfisher Special School, Chadderton, to commemorate the completion of a £2.5 million refurbishment and extension.

The women and children’s centre is the most expensive building project by Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital. It includes new antenatal wards, delivery rooms, obstetric theatres, a birth centre, a postnatal ward, a children’s unit and a neonatal intensive care unit.

Around 5,300 babies are expected to be born there every year.

Sophie, who is strongly associated with charities relating to children and disabilities, will meet staff and patients.

Trust chairman John Jesky said: “Our staff are looking forward to showing her around the new maternity unit and children’s wards.”

The Countess will also be the latest high profile visitor at Kingfisher — following in the footsteps of former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson in December.

The Hunt Lane school has 135 pupils with severe special needs and disabilities.

Its refurbishment and extension includes a new entrance, staff facilities, classrooms and community room.

Business manager Michael Unsworth said: “We are delighted. The Countess is a passionate supporter of children with disabilities. She is absolutely the right person to come. It is Kingfisher’s first royal visit.