The Bishop of St Asaph has made a Christmas visit to Deeside Community Hospital to pay tribute to the staff and volunteers and meet some of the patients.

The Rt Revd Gregory Cameron was the guest of his Lordship, the Right Honourable Barry Jones, President of the League of Friends of Deeside Hospital, which raises thousands of pounds every year to provide equipment and services for patients.

It is the 13^th year that Bishop Gregory has made a Christmas visit to the hospital. Over tea and mince pies, he talked about the importance of the work done by community hospitals.

He said: “Community Hospitals, like Deeside, offer an important bridge between large teaching hospitals and being fit and well enough to go home. Community Hospitals offer an opportunity to be near family and friends while benefiting from the holistic care provided by the staff and volunteers at Deeside.

“The work of the League of Friends is very important as another aspect of connecting with the community. As a result of your vital fundraising, the hospital feels cherished and affirmed. I want to thank you for your loyalty, commitment and perseverance as a League of Friends.”

A board on the wall near the hospital reception lists all the purchases made by the League of Friends to the hospital since 2000. A further £90,000 was raised between 1992 and 2000.

After meeting with the League of Friends, Bishop Gregory joined the Ward Manager of Gladstone Ward, Liam Rowe, to meet patients and members of staff.

Deeside Hospital was opened in 1992 by Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and has 44 beds. Lord Barry, the former MP for East Flintshire, which became Alyn and Deeside, has been President of the League of Friends for 24 years.

The Bishop of St Asaph has been in post for 16 years. The Diocese of St Asaph covers the counties of Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham, large parts of Conwy and Powys, along with part of Gwynedd.