The Royal Bucks Hospital has reopened its doors under new owners Affinity Care and is seeking to employ former staff.
Earlier this year former owner Dr James Clarke finally paid out, what was believed to be more than £350,000 in owed wages and redundancy packages.
The Grade II listed building will continue to specialise in spinal rehabilitation and will offer services for patients with neurological conditions, too.
New chairman Chris Bialan said: “We understand the significance of The Royal Bucks Hospital to the field of spinal and neuro-rehabilitation, and also to the local community who are proud of this hospital and its heritage.
“In addition to using expertise from leading consultants at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, we are re-employing former nursing, therapy and care staff on a phased in basis, that have proven high standards of care.
“As new owners, we are providing the same level of clinical excellence, but our fresh vision and expertise means we can offer wider range of services for local, regional, national and international patients as well invest in refurbishments to the hospital building and facilities.”
The hospital courted controversy under Dr Clarke as protests were held and MPs demanded he pay staff who had to rely on food bank donations to support themselves.
Aylesbury MP David Lidington was one politician angry by what happened and gave the new owners his backing.
He said: “I am delighted that the hospital has reopened and hope that under new ownership, it will become an important part of the community once again.
“A number of local people were affected by its recent closure, so I was pleased to learn that the new owners are planning on employing as many members of previous staff as possible.
“I would like to offer the new owners my full support in their efforts to turn the hospital around, and look forward to meeting the new management team at some point in the near future.”
There are also major refurbishments planned for the hospital but it is not yet clear what these entail.
