The newly refurbished main entrance of St George’s Hospital, London was officially opened by Tooting MP Sadiq Khan on Friday 24 April.

The new design provides a designated Patient Transport Lounge and a bigger and more comfortable seating area for visitors. The central location of the reception desk is designed to help patients and visitors to more easily find their way around St George’s which covers one of the largest sites in London. The main entrance is also the site of an M&S Simply Food store and café, the first of its kind in a UK hospital.

The £2m project was funded by St George’s Hospital Charity and is the first refurbishment of the entrance since it opened in 1973.

Sadiq Khan MP said: “"I was born in St George’s, as were my daughters. When the main entrance was last refurbished I was three years old! It is an excellent hospital but the main entrance needed an overhaul. The investment from St George’s Hospital Charity means we have a main entrance fit for the patients, visitors and staff of our hospital.

“I have in the past received a number of complaints from patients about the hospital waiting areas so I am particularly pleased with the new waiting lounge – which will be for those who use hospital transport. I am also impressed by the new general seating area, which is excellent.

“It was a real pleasure to be asked to open the main entrance at our hospital."

St George’s Chair, Naaz Coker, said: “The new main entrance is a clear sign that St George’s means business and reflects our commitment to improving the experience for all our users including patients, visitors and staff. Research carried out in 2006 showed that patients and staff wanted improved access to the hospital and better retail facilities in the main entrance.  The new entrance delivers on both areas.”