A HAMPSHIRE hospital has opened a new stroke unit after a financial boost from former patients.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust unveiled the new hyper acute stroke unit at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

The trust was able to open the £250,000 unit thanks to donations of £110,000 from past patients and their families, with a further £38,000 from the Medicine and Elderly Care Trust Fund.

WEHCT Chairman, Mike Gretton: “I am delighted to see the opening of our new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit. The new facilities are really fantastic and can only benefit staff and, more importantly, our patients.

“The stroke unit in Winchester has always delivered a very high standard of care, and has been ranked in the top 25% in the country for the past few years. This can only enhance that hard earned reputation.”

Past patients attended the opening ceremony along with Olympic ice-skating champion Robin Cousins, who did the official honours of opening the unit, which can accommodate 26.

Mr Gretton added: “I was delighted to be at the opening by Robin Cousins of our new Hyper Acute Stroke Unit, with some of our past and present patients present.

“I would like to thank all the staff involved in this project for their hard work and commitment to patient care.”

All stroke patients admitted to the hospital will be cared for at the unit by specialist staff while the unit also provides immediate aftercare.