Mrs. Bond, distinguished guests, my Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen.
This is an exciting new facility for the treatment of children with severe cardiac ailments. There can be a few hospitals anywhere in the world which inspire such loyalty and affection as Great Ormond Street. I know that people who were treated here [end p1] as children many years ago, as well as more recent patients, feel enormous debts of gratitude to the dedicated doctors, nurses and other staff who do such a magnificent job.
Great Ormond Street is special. The marvellous response which has already been forthcoming to your £30 million Wishing Well Appeal for the future major [end p2] redevelopment of the main hospital is striking testimony to the work carried out here. The general public, industry and commerce have all contributed to that Appeal and the Government will itself be making a substantial contribution to the total costs of the development. I believe this internationally important venture, which should be completed within [end p3] the next decade, will stand as a shining example of collaboration between public and private funds.
The new cardiac wing which I have seen today will further enhance the hospital's well-deserved reputation. I understand the health authority has set a number of ambitious treatment targets, including one for 270 infant and neo-natal [end p4] heart operations this year alone. There are also plans for twelve heart transplants in the coming year in conjunction with Papworth Hospital, Cambridge. This is excellent news for children and their parents. I know that they, as well as the staff, have had to be patient with a less than perfect environment during the various [end p5] stages of construction. I am sure these new facilities will amply repay that wait. They are another solid example of the Government's commitment to modernising the Health Service both now and into the next century.
I am very pleased to declare this cardiac wing officially open.