Staff at University Hospital Coventry have been looking back on an ‘amazing’ 20 years as they celebrate two decades since the hospital opened.
The University Hospital opened on July 30, 2006, replacing the old Walsgrave Hospital which was demolished a year later.
A celebration was held at the hospital this week as staff looked back on special memories.
Andy Hardy Chief Executive Officer at UHCW, was chief financial officer at the time and reflected on how, when the new hospital first opened in 2006, there would be around 350 attendances at A&E each day – now that figure stands at 1,000.
He also spoke of the advances in technology over the last two decades, including robotic surgery.
But it was one particular moment almost six years ago that stands out for him. “The proudest day for me over the last 20 years was 8th December 2020, when we were the home of the world’s first Covid vaccination…giving hope to the world really.
“And the world’s media turned up in Coventry that day.”
Chief Executive at UHCW Andy Hardy
While many things change, Mr Hardy pointed out one constant. “One thing that does not change is that healthcare is about human interaction,” he said.
“It’s about people who work in healthcare having that human interaction at people’s most vulnerable time – also their happiest time if they are having a baby.”
Chief People Officer Donna Griffiths said she was ‘really proud’ to work in the organisation, adding that it’s a ‘privilege’ to do the job.
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