HILLINGDON Hospital had a special guest on Easter Monday when the Secretary of State visited it to see its revolutionary new wards.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson visited to see the single bed wards at the hospital in Pield Heath Road, Hillingdon, professing to be struck by how happy the patients feel in them.

Bevan Ward opened to patients last December, in the final month of the 60 th year since the NHS was founded by Aneurin Bevan.

It has 24 single rooms designed in three different layouts and detailed research into patient satisfaction, infection rates, sleep quality, patient privacy, staff working and other elements is being carried out by the University of York.

Two weeks ago the Gazette spoke to the first patients to try out Bevan Ward, who described it as like a 'five star' hotel.

Trust Chief Executive David McVittie said: "We could not be more delighted than to welcome the Secretary of State to Hillingdon Hospital over Easter weekend to see what the future of the NHS looks like.

"We are working with the Department of Health, the National Patient Safety Agency and many other bodies on this innovative and exciting pilot, and our experience already tells us that both patients and staff are really keen on the single room design.

"We are confident that it will deliver better outcomes for our patients, much-reduced infection rates and faster recovery times."