Her Majesty The Queen officially named the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) today (Thursday 12 July 2012) during her Diamond Jubilee Tour, accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh.

The Royal couple visited the hospital as part of a two-day visit to the West Midlands.

They were greeted by cheering, flag-waving crowds outside the main entrance before moving inside to talk to a mixture of patients, staff and volunteers.

Dame Julie Moore, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust (UHB) and Sir Albert Bore, Chairman of the Trust, welcomed the Queen and Duke, who were also introduced to Kevin Bolger, the Trust’s Chief Operating Officer. 

Following a speech by Dame Julie, and a video showing the hospital at work, the Queen unveiled a piece of commemorative glasswork by local artist Eryka Isaak.

Dame Julie said: “We were quietly optimistic that the Queen would accept our invitation to officially open the new hospital and we’re absolutely delighted that she chose to come here during her Diamond Jubilee Tour. It makes it a doubly special occasion.

“The Trust has a long history with the Queen Elizabeth name, with the Queen Mother naming the old hospital in 1939. It’s fitting that the name has moved to our fantastic new building.

“The visit today is a tribute to all the hard work our staff have put in to make sure the new hospital has been such a tremendous success.”

Kevin Bolger said: “It’s been a fantastic day of celebration and a great way to say thank you to everyone who has put in so much effort over the past few years.”

During her visit, the Queen walked by a bust of the Queen Mother which was transferred to the main entrance of the QEHB from the old Queen Elizabeth Hospital for the official opening.

As she left the hospital, she was presented with a posy by Teenage Cancer Trust Young Persons Unit patient Bethan Davies.

Bethan, aged 20, from Herefordshire, has been undergoing chemotherapy at the hospital since she was diagnosed with an adrenal tumour  in January this year.

Her late great aunt, Miss Hilda Ward, affectionately known as Auntie Dot, was a member of the Royal Household, which she joined in 1936 at the age of 35.

During her employment she was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal (RVM) in recognition of her personal service to the Sovereign or Royal Family. Miss Ward received correspondence from the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh after her retirement and until her death at the age of 90 in 1991.

Watch the video of the official opening