A 25-YEAR dream for a single modern hospital for Herefordshire came to fruition this week when the first patients moved into the new building.

By tomorrow 73 patients will be enjoying the benefits of the state-of-the-art facilities in the new County Hospital.

Next week another 73 beds will be transferred from wards in the old hospital to fill the whole of the first floor of the new one. It will mean the end of old 'faithfuls' like Arkwright, David Garrick, Sarah Siddons, Nell Gwynne, Coningsby and Elgar to be replaced by Herefordshire river names - Wye, Frome, Teme, Arrow and Lugg.

The operating theatres in the new hospital have been working since November but it was last weekend that the new wards were given clearance to start taking patients.

It was decided to move all general medical wards first and on Monday morning Arkwright ward led the way with 22 beds being moved to Arrow ward. Yesterday 23 beds from the emergency admissions unit in David Garrick moved over and tomorrow Sarah Siddons will empty its 28 beds into the Lugg ward.

Patients and staff face a huge culture change in the new hospital with the end of wards with 25 beds or more.

Hereford's new hospital accommodates patients in groups of four, or in single wards, all with their own toilet facilities.

Last week the pharmacy based in the old hospital also moved to the first floor of the new one and is now described as one of the most highest specified in the west Midlands.

The official date for the new hospital to be fully available is April 16 and it is expected this target date will be met. No official dates have been given for the closure of of the General and Victoria Eye Hospitals but it is likely they will be around this time.

But with the completion of the new hospital, work will continue on parts of the old one for at least 18 months.