Royal launch for new building at The Walton Centre

A new building at The Walton Centre was given a Royal launch by staff and patients.

The Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead, performed an official ribbon cutting of Jubilee House, named to mark the Queen’s diamond year.

The event was an important milestone in a major expansion of the specialist neuroscience Trust. Jubilee House contains five teams of staff, including the internationally acclaimed Pain Management Progamme and Neuropsychology, who have moved out of the main hospital to make room for new wards and theatres.

Former Pain Management Programme patient Gemma Potts paid tribute to staff.

“The Walton Centre’s pain management programme saved my life. Six months ago I was in severe pain and very depressed; I was on lots of medication and I found it impossible to plan ahead as my life seemed to be over at the age of 22.

“Now my life has changed completely; I am off all medication, I exercise every day – and I have passed a fitness test to join the army, something I have always wanted to do but thought would never happen.”

Jubilee House also contains the Trust’s Patient Access Centre, Integrated Governance and Quality teams. Eventually they will move into a new building, which will also house an expanded, specialist rehabilitation unit.

The Walton Centre’s Pain Management Programme treats 400 patients each year and is the largest and longest running pain management programme in the UK. It is an international leader and has evolved and expanded over 28 years.