THE FOUNDER of a private hospital returned to celebrate its 30th anniversary with staff and patients last week.

On Wednesday, August 3 staff, past patients and local politicians came together to celebrate 30 years of Spire’s Roding Hospital in Roding Lane South.

The hospital was founded in 1986 by Jack Berkin, who came back to join Redbridge Mayor Cllr Gurdial Bhamra and London Assembly Member Keith Prince in congratulating staff on their hard work.

A tour of the hospital’s £1.2 million bone and joint centre was carried out by director Jo Dean, where guests were given a look around the state-of-the-art facilities.

Spire is the second-largest provider of private healthcare in the UK and treats both private and NHS patients at its Roding centre, near South Woodford.

Its physiotherapy services are also regularly used by members of West Ham FC.

Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge Cllr Keith Prince said: “It was very impressive to see how the hospital has evolved over the past 30 years.

“It’s provided an excellent service to the community - and many of West Ham’s football players - in that time and is an important local facility.

“Hopefully it will continue to thrive for another three decades and more.”