Hexham General Hospital's 20th anniversary

2001 Hexham Hospital under construction

The hospital which opened in July 2003 has seen many achievements over the years including the opening of a state-of-the-art scanner for key diagnostic scans as well as being the first hospital in the Northeast to install a hip replacement robot.

Hip replacement robot

These are just two great examples of how the trust has advanced its use of technology to improve patient care over two decades.

Yang Bell

It also had a visit Boris Johnson and continues to have a daily visits from mascot Yang Bell.

Boris Johnson visiting the hospital in 2022

Adding to its achievements, it has also had £15 million invested in maternity unit this year and ranked 21st in the fifth annual Newsweek and Statista Top 100 UK hospitals list in March.

Celebrating the new £15m maternity unit

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Hexham General Hospital, past and present staff from Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust gathered on Monday 10 July 2023, to attend a ceremony to share their memories and experiences from over the years.

Marion Dickson, executive director of nursing, midwifery and AHPs welcomed the attendees, Nicky Moon, deputy director spoke about the £15 million redevelopment programme and Paul Brayson reflected on the original hospital build project.

Among the guests at the celebration was long-serving volunteer Dorothy Green who has volunteered for the trust for over 29 years. Dorothy cut the cake alongside Northumbria Healthcare’s executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, Marion Dickson.

20th anniversary volunteer Dorothy Green and Healthcare's executive director of nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals, Marion Dickson.

Marion said, “It was a real honour to join the 20th celebration of Hexham General Hospital and we were delighted to be joined by past and present staff and members of the local community.

“Hexham Hospital is an important part of our trust and highly valued by the community and this celebration was a great opportunity to come together to look back at some of the great achievements made at Hexham as well as reflecting on where we are now and where we are going in the future.”

Hexham General Hospital opening in 2003

Brenda Longstaff, head of the Bright charity said: “This was a fantastic opportunity to come together to celebrate 20 years of Hexham Hospital. Looking back on the memories really showcased the wider role that the hospital has played in a closely-knit community.”

The event featured an exhibition showcasing the achievements made at the hospital and this exhibition is available for visitors to view in the hospital atrium.

Former Hexham General Hospital in 1992