The Acci was host to many VIP visits which recognised both the high standard of clinical care provided and the excellent reputation the Hospital held locally, regionally, nationally and over time internationally.
Notable events included:
- 1972: Ted Kennedy Visited the Hospital (photos with Henry Proctor)
- 7th Nov 1945: King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the hospital
- Nov 1974: The Duke of Edinburgh visited Birmingham Pub Bombing victims
- Nov 1974: The Home Secretary and the Minister of Health toured hospitals after the Pub Bombings
- 8th Mar 1990: Princess Diana visited the Burns Unit
Peter Millard spent 3 months arranging this visit, although it was supposed to be a private visit.
Paul Levick made the first approach to the palace for Diana to reopen the Children’s Section of the burns unit which had been upgraded.
The first meeting to discuss the visit involved 15 people from the palace and many further meetings were required before the day of the visit.
I was a little alarmed when all of the drain covers were sealed on the morning of the visit and I was informed by the police where the armed police were to be stationed.
On arrival, a bouquet was presented by a little girl who had been treated for severe burns previously. Diana took the girl by the hand and asked if she would like to join her for the visit which the little girl readily agreed to.
When we walked up the stairs to the Burns Unit the members of the MRC were standing in a row like a line of starched penguins in a row.
Once on the unit Paul Levick and Sister Jeffcote took over and she was wonderful chatting to the children, perfectly relaxed. From there the party visited the children’s ward without incident.
On the way out Peter Millard asked her to sign the visitor’s book and she whispered to him “what’s the date?”
- 9th Mar 1990: Received a letter from The Hon. Mrs Vivian Baring (The Lady-in-waiting to The Princess of Wales)
“The Princess of Wales has asked me to write to thank you very much for all your help in making her visit to Birmingham Accident Hospital such an interesting occasion. Her Royal Highness was so pleased to visit the Burns Unit and was most impressed by all she saw.
The Princess was delighted to have been able to visit the hospital and to have had the opportunity of meeting some of the patients and staff. Her Royal Highness found it a most rewarding and interesting visit.
Again many thanks and The Princess would be most grateful if you could pass on her thanks to all those concerned in making her visit such a relaxed and informative one.”
- 16th Dec 1987: Prince Michael of Kent.
He had a close interest in road injuries research. He spent most of the day at the hospital and spent much of the time discussing the rehabilitation of brain injured patients. Jack Thackery was well known for his work in the gymnasium with the patients and Prince Michael spent a lot of his time with us talking to the patients.
- 8th Mar 1990: Princess Diana visited the Burns Unit
Peter Millard spent 3 months arranging this visit, although it was supposed to be a private visit.
Paul Levick made the first approach to the palace for Diana to reopen the Children’s Section of the burns unit which had been upgraded.
The first meeting to discuss the visit involved 15 people from the palace and many further meetings were required before the day of the visit.
I was a little alarmed when all of the drain covers were sealed on the morning of the visit and I was informed by the police where the armed police were to be stationed.
On arrival, a bouquet was presented by a little girl who had been treated for severe burns previously. Diana took the girl by the hand and asked if she would like to join her for the visit which the little girl readily agreed to.
When we walked up the stairs to the Burns Unit the members of the MRC were standing in a row like a line of starched penguins in a row.
Once on the unit Paul Levick and Sister Jeffcote took over and she was wonderful chatting to the children, perfectly relaxed. From there the party visited the children’s ward without incident.
On the way out Peter Millard asked her to sign the visitor’s book and she whispered to him “what’s the date?”
- 9th Mar 1990: Received a letter from The Hon. Mrs Vivian Baring (The Lady-in-waiting to The Princess of Wales)
“The Princess of Wales has asked me to write to thank you very much for all your help in making her visit to Birmingham Accident Hospital such an interesting occasion. Her Royal Highness was so pleased to visit the Burns Unit and was most impressed by all she saw.
The Princess was delighted to have been able to visit the hospital and to have had the opportunity of meeting some of the patients and staff. Her Royal Highness found it a most rewarding and interesting visit.
Again many thanks and The Princess would be most grateful if you could pass on her thanks to all those concerned in making her visit such a relaxed and informative one.”
Royal Visits (By Peter Millard)
Prince Michael of Kent
His visit was arranged as he had a close interest in road injuries research.
He spent most of the day at the hospital and spent much of the time discussing the rehabilitation of brain injured patients.
Jack Thackery was well known for his work in the gymnasium with the patients and Prince Michael spent a lot of his time with us talking to the patients.
I enclose a copy of his letter of thanks.
5th January 1988
“I was so grateful for the opportunity to come and visit the Birmingham Accident Hospital before Christmas.
It was important for me because I wanted anyway to have the chance of talking to you and your staff, and of course the patients about the steps we can take to reduce road accidents. I learned much that would have otherwise been less easily revealed, which was most useful. But the thing I valued above all was the tremendous professionalism and high morale shown by everyone in the hospital, which was greatly infectious. I was so impressed, and clearly the accident victims could not find themselves in better hands.
Would you please pass on my thanks to your staff and my best wishes to everyone for a happy New Year. May the reduction in road accidents since this time last year be a good omen for us all for 1988
Yours Sincerely,
Michael”
Diana Princess of Wales
I spent some 3 months arranging this visit although it was supposed to be a private visit.
Paul Levick made the first approach to the palace for Diana to reopen the Children’s section of the Burns Unit which had been upgraded.
My first meeting to discuss the visit was unbelievable. 15 people turned up from the palace and I cannot remember how many meetings I had before the day.
I was a little alarmed when all of the drain covers were sealed on the morning of the visit and I was informed by the police where the armed police were to be stationed.
Goodness knows what an official visit entails.
On arrival, a bouquet was presented by a little girl who had been treated for severe burns previously.
Much to my surprise Diana took the girl by the hand and asked if she would like to join her for the visit which the little girl readily agreed to.
When we walked up the stairs to the Burns Unit the members of the MRC were standing in a row like a line of starched penguins.
Diana looked at me and I realised she was very nervous.
Once on the unit, Paul Levick and Sister Jeffcote took over and she was wonderful chatting to the children, perfectly relaxed.
From there we visited the Children’s Ward without incident.
I had been told that Diana would not make a speech, so everything was quite informal, and everything went well.
On the way out I asked her to sign the visitors book and she whispered to me “what’s the date?”