LYDNEY and District Hospital's recently-refurbished GP ward has been officially opened by Viscount Bledisloe.

Building work started when Friends of Lydney Hospital chairman Melville Watts laid the first brick in June last year.

The work was completed in two stages. The first, including the purpose-built ward area, was handed over in December, and the second phase, the refurbishment of the front of the hospital, was completed this May.

The refurbished ward area has 21 beds with five single rooms, two twin rooms and two six-bed bays, improved bathroom facilities, a newly-appointed nursing station, a day room, waiting area and a quiet room.

Much local help went into the work – the Friends raised £280,000 towards the £1 million scheme, while Lydney C of E Primary School provided name suggestions for the rooms which led to a tree theme being adopted.

Local help also went into the makeover of the front of the hospital and landscape work on the front gardens.

There is an open day at the hospital this Saturday from 2pm-4pm so that people can see the finished work.