Our Patron
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall is patron of the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre. She opened the new hospital buildings in July 2007 which saw members of the local community join together with staff and patients to celebrate the long awaited new facilities.
The Duchess unveiled a commemorative plaque in the main hospital atrium and spent time with staff and patients during a tour of the new £42m hospital.
The Duchess has a keen interest in the work of the hospital, in particular its clinical research and treatment of osteoporosis - a condition suffered by her mother. In 2003 The Duchess officially opened the Botnar Research Centre, based within the hospital grounds and built with funds raised by the NOC Appeal. Her return visit to the hospital in 2007 also included laying the foundation stone for the second building phase of the Botnar Research Centre, a joint venture by Oxford University and the NHS.
The Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre runs the Oxfordshire Osteoporosis service and in partnership with Oxford University the hospital undertakes a range of research and studies into bone health related conditions including osteoporosis.
The Duchess of Cornwall is also patron of the Trust's NOC Appeal, an independent fundraising charity that supports the hospital, and is president of the National Osteoporosis Society.