Birthday celebrations at the Charing Cross Hospital open day
Patients, staff and the public came together this week to mark the 200th anniversary of Charing Cross Hospital in its first open day for 25 years.
The hospital, which was first opened as the West London Infirmary in 1818, put on behind-the-scenes tours of clinical facilities, as well as educational talks and special activities for children.
Visitors were offered hearing tests and other health check-ups, while students were given the chance to find out about current work experience and job opportunities.
Music filled the hospital’s main atrium as patients and staff shared stories and memories about the hospital, which is currently undergoing a £7.2m redevelopment of its A&E department.
Guests also had the chance to see the newly opened hospital garden, funded by Imperial Health Charity, which has been specially designed for patients with dementia and other cognitive impairments.
Michelle Dixon is the Trust’s Director of Communications, whose team organised the event. “It was brilliant to see lots of people from across the community come together to celebrate Charing Cross hospital,” she said. “We want people to know what’s going on in their hospital, to get involved, and to feel connected to the staff. That’s what the open day was all about.”
