The Princess Royal opens The Walton Centre's newest building

The Princess Royal was in Liverpool today (Tuesday, December 15) to officially open The Walton Centre’s newest building.

Her Royal Highness was unveiling a commemorative plaque at The Sid Watkins Building which is named after an eminent neurosurgeon who made revolutionary improvements to the safety of Formula 1.

A bust of Professor Sid Watkins, which honours his contribution to the world of sport and medicine, was also unveiled during the ceremony, which was attended by members of his family.

The Sid Watkins Building first accepted patients in January this year. At a cost of £29m and delivered ahead of time and nearly £1m under budget, it gives The Walton Centre, a specialist brain and spinal hospital, more space to treat patients.

It houses the hospital’s 30-bedded Complex Rehabilitation Unit, its Pain Management Programme which helps patients manage long-lasting pain, a specialist neuropsychology service, an education centre and lecture theatre, charity funded relatives’ accommodation, an outpatients department, offices for finance, human resources, IT, Procurement and more.

The visit marks the second time The Princess Royal has been to The Walton Centre. Her Royal Highness officially opened The Walton Centre’s main hospital building in 1998 when the Trust moved from the old Walton Hospital site on Rice Lane to a new building on Lower Lane in Fazakerley.

Chairman Ken Hoskisson said: “We are delighted to welcome back HRH The Princess Royal to The Walton Centre.

“We are very proud of what we have achieved with the opening of The Sid Watkins Building. Having a royal visit marks how significant that achievement is, but we’re also proud that the visit will also remember and honour the great man we named the building after.”

During the visit, Prof Watkins' widow Susan gave a speech, saying: “It’s a joy for my family, our closest friends, and for me to be here today for the Royal opening of the Sid Watkins Building.  In a sense my husband’s career has come full circle. For with the naming of this building, he continues to be associated with medical and surgical excellence, with pioneering research and treatments and with patient rehabilitation. His battlecry - there were never enough rehab facilities and now we have at least one more and what an outstanding example.

“I can’t tell you how impressed we are with what you have achieved here and with your humanity which you share with my husband. And your Royal Highness, we are indeed honoured that you have come here today to officially open The Sid Watkins Building, my husband would be delighted. On behalf of Sid, myself and all our family and friends, thank you.”

The Walton Centre has a history of naming wards after eminent neurosurgeons and neurologists.

It was following a suggestion from Aintree Circuit Club via its Vice President Professor Sir Drummond Bone and Chairman Michael Ashcroft that Professor Sid Watkins’ name came forward.

As he was fundamental to a number of pioneering projects, including the development of Royal London Hospital’s helicopter emergency service and responsible for radical improvements to safety in Formula 1, he was a fitting choice.

Professor Sid Watkins was born in Liverpool, graduated from Liverpool University and had a long and distinguished career in neurosurgery. His work continues to deliver safety benefits today not only in Formula 1 but in other sports such as horse trials.

To create a lasting legacy for such an outstanding individual, The Walton Centre has launched The Sid Watkins Fund to support innovation in the field of neurological health care.