MUSLIMS, Hindus, Catholics and Protestants have Ipswich Hospital's £26million treatment centre in their thoughts today after a special blessing ceremony.

MUSLIMS, Hindus, Catholics and Protestants have Ipswich Hospital's £26million treatment centre in their thoughts today after a special blessing ceremony.

Holy men from the different faiths came together to dedicate the Garrett Anderson Centre, which had been due to open at the end of this month but has been delayed by at least a month after it was flooded.

Each of them spoke of the important role health professionals play throughout society and wished staff well when the new centre opens.

Rosie Finch, the hospital's chaplain who organised the event, said: “Often buildings are dedicated and as we have recently got a new bishop in the area I thought it was important to dedicate it before everyone begins using the centre.

“I also though it should be a multi-faith event because we have various faiths represented in the community.”

During the service Dr Sushil Soni, president of the Ipswich Hindu Samaj, blessed the new centre and said: “Oh Lord, lead us from untruth to truth. Oh Lord, lead us from darkness to light. Oh Lord, lead us from death to immortality. Let there be peace forever.”

Yousus Saleh, Imam of the Ipswich Mosque, Father Adrian Gates, Roman Catholic hospital chaplain and the Right Reverend Nigel Stock, the new Bishop of St Edmunsbury and Ipswich, also added their thoughts and best wishes.

Hospital chief executive, Andrew Reed, said: “It is very important to have a multi-faith dedication of the Garrett Anderson Centre. It is an important way of introducing the communities to the state-of-the-art facility we have.”

What do you wish for the new Garrett Anderson Centre? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.