Her Majesty Queen Camilla has visited Swindon today to officially open Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s urgent and emergency care development.
The unveiling represents a significant advancement in healthcare services for the community, following a remarkable investment of £33.5 million.
During her visit, Queen Camilla toured the state-of-the-art Emergency Department, Medical Assessment Unit, and the newly established Children’s Emergency Unit where Her Majesty met four-year-old Jackson James and his mother in the infant feeding room.
Following the tour, Queen Camilla attended a reception where she engaged with staff members from various departments and expressed gratitude to the charitable donors who contributed to the development.
To commemorate the occasion, the Queen unveiled a plaque alongside nine-year-old Latoyah Vashi, a pupil from the nearby Badbury Park Primary School.
The new urgent and emergency care expansion, which opened to the public in the autumn of 2024, is the largest investment in the hospital's history. With a footprint 60 percent larger than before, the upgraded facilities will enhance the Trust’s ability to meet the rising demand for healthcare in Swindon and the surrounding areas.
Key improvements include an increase in “majors cubicles” from 15 to 22, now featuring glass doors instead of curtains, and individual environmental controls such as dimmable lighting for enhanced privacy and comfort.
The resuscitation area has expanded from four to seven cubicles, including a dedicated space for children.
The Children’s Emergency Unit is a first for the Trust, boasting 13 cubicles, two high acuity bays, and a new resuscitation bay, along with special rooms designed for children with mental health challenges.
Liam Coleman, Chairman of the Trust, expressed his gratitude to Her Majesty for her visit and acknowledged the hard work that brought the project to fruition.
He commented: “We are thrilled that Her Majesty The Queen visited us here in Swindon today, to mark such a significant moment in our Trust history.
“It took over five years of hard work to bring our new urgent and emergency care development to life, and I want to thank everyone who has helped us get to today, creating a new department that will benefit the people of Swindon and Wiltshire for years to come.
“Thank you to Her Majesty The Queen for taking the time to unveil a plaque and meet with so many of our fantastic staff and patients, to the children of Badbury Park Primary School and to other local dignitaries who have also given their time to join us today.”
Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney also highlighted the significance of the event, adding: "It was an incredible honour to be invited as a Governor to Great Western Hospital for Queen Camilla to officially open the new urgent and emergency care development.
"Joining the crowd and waving her off was a truly special moment. One highlight for me was seeing a group of children with their paper crowns and Union Jack flags present flowers to Her Majesty - it was truly heart-warming.
"The Trust did a phenomenal job organising the entire event, and the new facilities are a testament to their dedication to providing the best possible care for the people of Swindon and Wiltshire."
GWH are encouraging people to become members of the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Members receive exclusive updates on Trust activities, invitations to special events, and a chance to voice their opinions on service provision.
To learn more about membership benefits and how to join, visit https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/members page.
*Photos credit Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney
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