Polish war hospital reopens

Penley was promised to the Polish community by Churchill

A hospital for Polish World War II veterans is reopening after it was closed two years ago for redevelopment.

In accordance with a pledge made by Sir Winston Churchill at the end of the war, Penley Hospital on the outskirts of Wrexham has provided care for ex-serviceman since 1946.

The former military hospital was closed in 2002 after it fell into disrepair, buildings were vandalised and drug users were using outbuildings to shelter.

But the North East Wales NHS Trust has spent more than £600,000 on revamping the hospital and a new eight-bed unit has been created.

Irena Szenderowicz, a nurse at the hospital from 1946 until 1982 and now a patient herself, said it was still needed.

Irena Szenderowicz worked at the hospital and is now a patient

"I think it's important to keep us together... they need to keep to their promises given years ago by the British authorities," she said.

"It was a state in a state you know - little Poland."

At its peak more than 2,000 patients and staff lived at the Penley site.

People injured in World War II were treated and helped to resettle in the surrounding communities.

The original site was initially occupied during the war by the US Army before it became a Polish military hospital.

Due to the age of the patients, the number of people needing to use it has declined.

But health officials have kept to Churchill's word and the Polish community will still be cared for.

Nurse Pat Tasker says the community deserves the hospital

The new hospital provides single-storey accommodation for up to eight patients, each with their own bedroom.

A communal lounge, dining room and separate quiet room will also be provided for chapel services.

Pat Tasker, a staff nurse at the hospital for the past 28 years, she said she was thrilled.

"It's a new start for us all because the hospital's got a lot of history," she said.

"A lot of people didn't think we'd come back but the trust made a promise to us and we made a commitment to the Polish community that they would build a Polish hospital and they've kept their promise."

While the new hospital was being built, Penley staff and patients were transferred to Meadowslea Hospital on Deeside.