Fit for Royal? £70k desks at Royal Free Hospital
Published: 11 March 2010
by RICHARD OSLEY
THEY have been dubbed the “diamond desks” by critics baffled by their eye-watering £70,000 price tag.
But Royal Free Hospital bosses ignored the criticism on Monday as they celebrated the counters’ installation at the new-look Pond Street front entrance.
The doors opened on the reception at 8.45am and the first person to pass through them was given a basket of fruit to mark the occasion.
Royal Free chief executive David Sloman said: “We hope our patients and visitors will agree that our new front entrance provides a very welcoming atmosphere.”
And hospital trustee Jan Morgan added: “The Royal Free Charity is delighted to have underwritten the front-of-hospital project and hopes and believes it will greatly facilitate and improve the patient experience.”
The cost of the desks sparked controversy after being ordered at the same time that the hospital planned scores of job cuts.
Hospital volunteer Ralph Eschwege said: “It’s scandalous and immoral.
“If you go to B&Q or Homebase, you can buy a similar customised desk.”
The hospital said the desks were “mid-range” in the estimates, were bought to withstand heavy use and had also been specially treated to reduce the spread of germs.