North Walsham's new hospital is hosting an officia opening on August 1. PHOTO: ANTONY KELLY

An official opening of North Walsham’s £3.7m hospital revamp is taking place next Wednesday.

Members of the public are being invited from 2pm on August 1 to see the outcome of the project which saw the old hospital knocked down and replaced with a new 24-bed unit, along with updated outpatients facilities and extra clinics.

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb will cut the ribbon while visiting health bosses will explain the changes.

Matron Belinda Williamson said the unit had been designed with patients’ needs in mind, and the outcome was “beyond our wildest dreams.”

The redevelopment had taken a while but was worth the wait, she added.

Norfolk Community Health and Care Trust chairman Ken Applegate stressed the need to provide care in locations that suited patients, in a community setting closer to their homes.

The heritage of the former hospital, built as a war memorial, is also being preserved and will see a rededication by hospital chaplain, Canon Derek Earis.

People will be able to talk to members of staff including nurses, therapists, and support staff, and get information about the range of services provided which include rehabilitation care on the ward, and outpatient clinics, such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, neurological support, continence care, and podiatry.