Oxford's Churchill Hospital marks its 80th birthday

Staff and volunteers marked the occasion with cakes and ice creams provided by Oxford Hospitals Charity.

The Churchill was founded by the Ministry of Health as an Emergency Medical Service hospital for local air raid casualties then leased to the medical services of the United States Army.

When the American authorities left, Oxford City Council took over the buildings and it was reopened as a conventional hospital.

Now it is a centre of excellence for cancer services and other specialities, including renal services and transplant, clinical and medical oncology, dermatology, chest medicine and palliative care.

Prof. Meghana Pandit, chief executive officer at Oxford University Hospitals, said: “Happy 80th birthday to the Churchill Hospital. I would like to thank all members of staff, past and present who deliver excellent and compassionate care to the populations that we serve." 

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Ella Cooper, who is a programme officer at the charity and coordinated the celebration, said:

“After the testing times we’ve had in our hospitals of late, it’s lovely to be able to celebrate something really special with staff.

“This marks a very important day in the hospital’s history and the charity felt that this gesture would be a great way to commemorate it and to thank the staff for all the important work that they do here.” 

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

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