IPSWICH Hospital's new state-of-the-art Garrett Anderson Centre was due to be formerly opened by royalty today.

IPSWICH Hospital's new state-of-the-art Garrett Anderson Centre was due to be formerly opened by royalty today.

HRH The Duke of Gloucester, the cousin of Queen Elizabeth, was invited to officially unveil the £26million centre.

During his visit to the town the duke will also be officially opening the newly-restored Christchurch Park and St Lawrence Centre in the heart of the town.

His visit is especially good news for the hospital which had seen the centre blighted by delays, with a major leak causing flooding and damaging electrical equipment, which needed to be sent to America to be repaired.

Then, just before the centre was due to open, a problem with the ventilation system was identified and contractors Kier put the handover on hold again.

But today the centre is finally open and treating patients.

Hospital chief executive, Andrew Reed, said: “Our hospital is immensely proud of the Garrett Anderson Centre.

“The first class facilities and state-of-the-art equipment are unrivalled in NHS healthcare, and arguably private healthcare, anywhere in the east of England.

“We were delighted to welcome HRH The Duke of Gloucester to officially open the centre.

“Having a Royal visitor was a terrific way to demonstrate how important the facilities will be for the patients of Suffolk.

“On behalf of the hospital I'd like to thank the community guests who joined us for the event, and of course all the staff who have contributed to the opening of the centre and its first month of operation.”

Have you been treated at the Garrett Anderson Centre? What did you think of the facilities? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.