Hundreds of hot meals were served at the opening of the Great Western Hospital's new £33.5 million emergency department.

Local volunteers from the Rapid Relief Team helped to make the event a success, providing 270 meals to staff.

The Rapid Relief Team, a charity formed of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, aimed to provide nourishment and lift spirits during the Swindon hospital's busy day.

The £33.5 million expansion of the Great Western Hospital is the largest investment in the hospital's history, and was announced earlier this year.

Rapid Relief team volunteers serving meals at the Great Western HospitalThe Rapid Relief Team volunteers serving meals at the Great Western Hospital (Image: RRT) The new children's emergency unit, along with expanded adult treatment facilities, aim to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences.

The new facility opened in July but could not admit patients until last month due to a few minor issues.

The launch day involved a "complex" moving process, with patients and equipment being transferred to the new facility.

The Rapid Relief Team cooked and served the free meals to support the hospital staff during this transition.

It said the "provision of food by the charity was warmly received by the hundreds of staff involved in the operation, fuelling what was a hugely busy day".

Sarah Orr, head of emergency planning at Great Western Hospital, said: "A huge thank you from us to everybody at Rapid Relief Team for supporting our staff.

"The team involved got fed lunch, which raised morale and cheered everybody up greatly as we opened our new emergency department."

The Rapid Relief Team said it is committed to helping those in need across Swindon, the UK, and internationally, by providing practical support to charities, emergency services, and other organisations.

Rapid Relief team volunteers serving meals at the Great Western HospitalThe Rapid Relief Team volunteers serving meals at the Great Western Hospital (Image: RRT) Laurie Pomeroy, Swindon team leader for the Rapid Relief Team UK, said: "We were delighted to be able to play our part in the successful opening of the Great Western Hospital’s new emergency department in Swindon.

"It was fantastic to come along to the launch and serve 270 meals to staff.

"This is our way of saying thank you for the unwavering dedication of the teams who go above and beyond to provide quality care and support to the community."

He added: "The Rapid Relief Team, a charity made up of volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, is dedicated to helping those who care for others, and we look forward to continuing our long-term support of the Great Western Hospital in the future."

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