THE Stratton Hospital £1-million Development Fund launched in 2010 by the late Candy Baker, chair of the League of Friends of Stratton Hospital, has now reached the target.

Stratton Hospital, one of the oldest community hospitals in the UK was in urgent need of modernisation to provide the isolated community with services fit for purpose.

Candy had campaigned tirelessly for many years to improve access to health care for the community.

She and her team worked closely with the Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust and Community 1st Cornwall to create a purpose-built 21st century community hospital with a refurbished Minor Injuries Unit, operating theatre, outpatient clinics, physiotherapy and inpatient beds including palliative care facilities.

The £1-million Development Fund was launched to enable the League of Friends to help refurbish and equip the new hospital.

Ray Hockin, then one of the trustees of the League of Friends, collated the fundraising and did a great job. There was a wonderful response from the local community — many individuals and organisations held fundraising events, there were legacies, personal donations and donations in memory of loved ones who had passed away.

The wooden thermometer outside the hospital measured the progress of fund raising and showed encouraging growth of the funds raised thanks to the generous community during the following years.

The building work was completed in 2012 and in 2013 Candy performed the official opening of this superbly redeveloped community hospital with 21st century standards of safety, privacy and dignity for the benefit of the local population.

In July 2013, Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visited Stratton Hospital and HRH the Duke of Cornwall paid tribute to the achievement of the League of Friends and to Candy’s leadership, and to the staff and the community.

Candy was awarded the MBE in recognition of her great work to improve health services in Cornwall, particularly in the remote community of Bude and Stratton.

The hospital has been well equipped and is loved by the community which it can now serve more effectively. There are 21 clinics; minor surgery is performed in the operating theatre; physiotherapy services have expanded; the Minor Injuries Unit is currently open from 8am to 10pm and Stratton Hospital is currently undergoing the first trial in Cornwall of working as a Community Treatment Centre from 10pm to 8am.

A League of Friends spokesperson said: “The League of Friends meet regularly to consider requests for equipment and services from the hospital staff and associated community services which are not always available from the NHS, and have been able to help with their requests again this year.

“None of this could have been achieved without the generous support from the public; many thanks to everyone who has contributed. We are grateful to the nurses and other staff who work hard to make life more comfortable for patients.

“We owe the success of the £1-million Hospital Development Fund to Candy and Ray who both achieved so much for the community. They knew the target was in sight but sadly they both passed away this year before the target had been reached.”