POOLE Hospital’s new main entrance has been officially opened by Harry and Sandra Redknapp, who unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

The former Premier League football manager, and last year’s I'm a Celebrity winner, was the guest of honour with his wife, who was treated at the hospital after falling ill last year.

Harry spoke about how grateful he was to the hospital staff that treated Sandra.

He said: “A year or so ago, when Sandra was very ill, she had sepsis and got rushed in here by ambulance

“Without this hospital being here we would have been in desperate trouble. I can’t thank Poole Hospital enough.

“To see a new facility open today is just amazing – the hospital is going onwards and upwards, it’s so important to the people in this area.

“I think the staff here are amazing,it really is an amazing hospital.”

Guests included Sir Keith Pearson, non-executive chairman of Noviniti, the company that developed the facility, and Poole Mayor Marion Le Poidevin.

Cllr Poidevin revealed a blue plaque in honour of Lady Wimborne Lady Cornelia Guest, who founded the original hospital.

Poole and Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals chief executive Debbie Fleming said: "The new main entrance is all about improving services for patients and helping us to deliver even better care.

“It’s a very busy, thriving hospital and it will continue to be going into the future.”

Many of the hospital’s staff also attended the event which also had the showing of a time-lapse video of the development and a wall-mounted staff photo, which was an exact replica of one taken 50 years ago.

The new main entrance provides additional services for patients, staff and visitors including a Costa Coffee, WH Smith and Stock Shop.

Harry even joked that he and Sandra will be doing their shopping here now.

The new entrance also includes a new link corridor that enables patients to be transferred with improved comfort, efficiency and dignity. The event is part of the hospital’s golden jubilee celebrations recognising 50-years since the Queen opened the hospital.