Falklands War veteran opens new operating theatre in Derbyshire

The burs victims, who was injured when his ship was bombed during the Falklands War in 1982, visited Barlborough NHS Treatment Centre in Lindrick Way, which has been built to will increase the number of hip and knee replacements carried out.

Simon said: “I was delighted to be asked to open the new theatre and thoroughly enjoyed meeting all the fantastic team who do such a great job.

“I can see how the new facilities will benefit the local community and have been very impressed by the passion of the team who deliver excellent levels of patient service.”

In his speech to the team working at the centre, Simon said: “continue to be the excellent people you are. You make a real difference to the lives of patients and their families - thank you for all you do.

“It’s the first time I’ve been able to walk out of an operating theatre – a novelty!”

Centre director, Steve Booker, said: “Simon is an inspirational speaker who injects everyone he speaks to with enthusiasm and optimism.

“The team are very committed to delivering first rate care to patients and this came as a boost to an already upbeat and positive team.

“The new capacity means the theatre will help us to reduce waiting times. It means we can relieve patients more swiftly of the pain and inconvenience of worn joints – and we can now also offer new specialities such as ophthalmology.”