Princess Anne's medical praise

Apr 21, 2010, 12:24 GMT

Britain's Princess Anne has praised a new medical support facility.

The princess - who is the patron of the College of Occupational Therapists - spent an hour at Edes House in Chichester on Tuesday (19.04.10), where she launched the Regaining Independence Support Service (RISS) which is run by West Sussex County Council.

The service, which started in November, aims to help people maintain their independence after leaving hospital and employs a team of occupational therapists who visit residents to help people re-learn life skills.

Anne said: "So much has been achieved here by bringing together this service and I hope you are pleased with it. I thank you very much indeed for the example you have set."

Local council members admitted they were "very excited" by the princess' visit.

County council cabinet member for adults' services, Peter Catchpole said: "Everyone is extremely excited that Princess Anne has come. We are pleased one, that she has come to acknowledge the extremely good work done by the occupational therapists but that she has also come to meet all of the staff who have made it so successful and some of the people who have used the service and actually speak to then to see how it's improved their lifestyles.

"We are particularly pleased that we have got some of our health and other partners here who have also contributed quite strongly to the project."