THE Prince of Wales will be in Okehampton next week when he pays a visit to the town?s new community hospital.
Prince Charles is due to arrive in the town late morning on Wednesday November 17. He will meet staff and patients at the 34-bed hospital, which replaces two Victorian buildings in the town, the former Memorial Hospital and Castle Hospital, once a workhouse.
The Prince will be met by Bud Wendover, chairman of Mid Devon Primary Care Trust which runs the hospital.
Mr Wendover said: ?We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming the Prince of Wales to Okehampton Community Hospital.
?He will see what we think is a unique mix of a well designed building and landscaped gardens, including the wonderful Japanese garden, which accommodate an NHS hospital, a GP surgery and complementary medicine services.
?The community of Okehampton and surrounding area has pulled together to achieve a very special local hospital, which I am sure the Prince will find of great interest.
?We are all looking forward to welcoming him to Okehampton.?
It is likely the Prince, well-known for his interest in plants and complementary medicines, will be particularly interested in the Japanese healing garden at the hospital.
Providing a peaceful area next to the maternity unit, it was created by a specially trained team of Japanese gardeners, said to be the first of its kind outside Japan.