HRH The Countess of Wessex visits Arrowe Park and Wirral Autistic Society

Mar 3 2011 By Matt Hurst

Sophie, Countess of Wessex

HRH THE Countess of Wessex officially opened a new hospital ward and respite centre during a busy visit to Wirral yesterday.

HRH Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, opened the new Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital at Arrowe Park.

The £11.5m facility will provide a modernised delivery suite, as well as a purpose-built children’s ward and gynaecology treatment centre.

Arrowe Park chairman, Michael Carr, said: "This visit is a wonderful acknowledgement of the contribution that our patients, staff, friends and partner organisations have made to the development of the new Wirral Women and Children’s Hospital, and the care and comfort that these facilities will provide for our patients."

The Countess then officially opened Wirral Autistic Society’s (WAS) new respite centre, The Ferns, at Raby Hall.

The new building allows WAS to provide six specially designed bedroom suites to families across the North West.

WAS chief executive, Dianne Asher, said: "We know only too well the importance of short stay respite support to both the person with autism and their family."

The Countess had first visited Woolton’s Dyslexia Action charity in Abbot’s Lea School, on Beaconsfield Road,Liverpool, before crossing the water.

A patron of the organisation, the Countess met with staff and learnt of the positive impact its work has within the community.