Halstead Hospital’s £1.5million rehabilitation unit has been officially opened.
George Courtauld, the Vice Lord Lieutenant for Essex, and relative of the family that founded the hospital, cut the ribbon.
Tony Shelton, Halstead Hospital League of Friends chairman, said about 100 people attended the opening yesterday.
He said: "It's been a tremendous effort over many years.
"I am very proud of the fact it's now open and in operational use."
Mr Shelton said two of the charity's original members from 1968 were at the opening.
Braintree MP Brooks Newmark and chairman of Braintree Council, Councillor Lynette Bowers-Flint, also attended.
Halstead residents paid for the rehab unit, which will provide physiotherapy and assistance to patients recovering from accidents, strokes and falls.
It first opened last October after 16 years of fundraising and planning by the League of Friends.
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