Private hospital marks birthday

The hospital will now be known as Spire Liverpool Hospital

A hospital founded by nuns in Liverpool almost 80 years ago is marking an anniversary with a new name.

Lourdes was the first private hospital in the city when it was set up by nuns from the order The Poor Servants of the Mother of God in 1929.

The facility moved to Greenbank Road in Mossley Hill in 1943 after the old building was bombed, and is celebrating its 65th anniversary on the site.

It will now be known as Spire Hospital Liverpool after a ceremony on Monday.

'Lovely atmosphere'

The hospital is opening its doors to members of the community with free blood pressure and BMI checks and advice on services such as physiotherapy.

Staff and patients are also celebrating the hospital's 65th anniversary on its current site.

Sister Sheila Sullivan, a matron who worked at the site in the 1980s, said: "It had a lovely, happy atmosphere.

"Lourdes has certainly flourished over the years. I wish I was 20 years younger and could work there all over again."

The hospital is run by a private health firm, Spire Healthcare.