Staff at Rutland Memorial Hospital are holding a family fun day to mark the hospital’s 100th birthday.
The event will take place in the hospital grounds on Saturday, August 17, from 11am to 4pm.
The hospital was built to commemorate those who died in battle during the First World War. A plaque at the hospital says: “The Rutland County Hospital. Opened 1924. Erected to the honoured and loved memory of the men who in the terrible years of war 1914-1918 gave their lives for their country and their souls to God.”
Carla Yaxley, ward manager for the inpatient ward, said: “Our hospital is a valued and much loved part of the community, and we wanted to share this anniversary with the local community.
“It has served generations of Rutland residents, and been a worthy memorial to those who died in the war.
“We are hoping to give local residents a picture of the variety of services which take place now at the hospital. Unfortunately due to space considerations we cannot offer tours of the building, but we will have stalls displaying the work of the various teams who call Rutland Memorial their home.”
Admission to the fun day will be free – it is being supported by Raising Health, the charitable arm of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
There will be a free bouncy castle, refreshments, tombola, face painting and secondhand book stall.
Richard Cole, the High Sheriff of Rutland, will cut a celebration cake to open the event.
As well as an inpatient ward, the hospital is home to a GP surgery, a minor injuries unit, and x-ray department, and provides a wide range of outpatient clinics for physical and mental health issues.
In 2023 the hospital underwent a £1.5m refurbishment programme to repair leaks, replace ageing boilers, make patient areas more comfortable, and to introduce more efficient lighting. It is currently owned and run by Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust on behalf of the NHS as a whole.