First Midlands diabetes centre marks three decades

Staff at New Cross Hospital celebrated 30 years of dedicated diabetes care

The first purpose-built diabetes centre in the Midlands has celebrated its 30th anniversary.

The Diabetes and Endocrinology Centre at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton opened its doors in September 1994.

It was originally built using charitable funds, to handle up to 6,000 patients per year but now sees an average of 16,000 patients annually. Opening with a staff of two consultants and four specialist nurses, it now has 11 consultants and 10 specialist nurses.

Celebrations included a lunch with both current and past members of staff who were joined virtually by the centre’s founding consultant Dr Simon Walford.

Senior team medical secretary Lisa Harrison has worked at the centre since its opening day.

“It was a very exciting time for us as a team and for me,” she said.

“So much has changed over the years.

“Technology has advanced from dictated letters on mini cassettes typed on electronic typewriters to now a full electronic system which has wider access throughout the health providers in the Wolverhampton community.”

The centre’s staff also consists of a diabetes educator, a podiatry team and six secretaries plus registrars.