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New heart and lung centre
03/07/2008
A new state-of-the-art heart and lung centre was officially opened today by Her Majesty The Queen.
Based at the NHS Golden Jubilee Hospital in Clydebank, the facility will be one of the biggest centres of its kind in the UK, providing access to complex and life changing surgical procedures including coronary artery bypasses, heart valve surgery and heart transplants.
The opening of the centre is part of a programme of celebratory events this week to mark the 60th anniversary of the NHS in Scotland, paying tribute to staff, patients, volunteers and carers, and recognising those who have made unique contributions to the development of the Health Service.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon, who hosted the visit to the Golden Jubilee Hosptial by HM the Queen and HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, said:
"We are proud that Her Majesty has been here, during this important week, to open the new Heart and Lung Centre and to see first hand the advances being made by the NHS in Scotland.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to thank all those who have served Scotland over the past 60 years with their contribution to the success of the NHS in Scotland.
"I believe this new centre will help deliver better access to some of the most innovative and life changing health care in the world.
"For the future I want to see the Scottish people and NHS staff become real partners - co-owners - of the health service so that they can shape a truly responsive National Health Service which meets Scotland's needs for the next 60 years."
July 2 saw the start of the anniversary week programme of national events, recognising those who have made a unique contribution to the development of the Health Service and paying tribute to staff, patients, volunteers and carers. In the evening, a special Reception was held at Edinburgh Castle, where front-line staff, volunteers and patients, joined host Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon for an evening of thanks and celebration.
On July 4, Minister for Public Health Shona Robison, will visit Ninewells Hospital in Dundee where she will meet young patients in the Children's Ward and help them cut a NHS 60 birthday cake.
On July 5, the anniversary of the birth of the NHS, Ms Sturgeon will be at a Princess Royal Maternity Hospital in Glasgow to meet one of the first babies born on the 60th anniversary.
On July 5, Ms Sturgeon will then join an audience of 2,000 people at Glasgow's Royal Concert Hall to celebrate the last 60 years and help Scottish celebrities including Radio Clyde presenter Gina McKie present a series of Diamond Anniversary Awards for those working in the health service.
On July 6, the Deputy First Minister will make an address at a special service for NHS 60 held at St. Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh attended by faith leaders, patients, carers and front-line staff.
Local NHS Boards are also engaged in a programme of celebratory events across Scotland including family fun days, tea parties, photographic exhibitions, charity balls, ceilidhs and openings of new local NHS facilities.