​A REVAMPED A&E department at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital – heralded as “an example to the rest of the country” – has been officially opened.

The £5-million Emergency Care Centre was opened by Dr David Colin-Thome, the Government’s national clinical director for primary care.

As reported, the centre was completed last summer, with new, larger and more sophisticated treatment areas, and an in-house GP out-of-hours service.

Unveiling a plaque to commemorate the occasion, Dr Colin-Thome said: “It’s quite an honour to come here to be with many of the people who worked to get this off the ground.

“Not least because you kept your service going while the refurbishment took place.”

Angie Smithson, director of service and business development, said: “The original concept was put together about five years ago.

“It is a relief to get to this stage. The staff have been through a lot, including helping us design the centre.

“But people are enjoying working in a nice, bigger, well-equipped department.”