Happy reunion: Sally Gunnell, Jason Monero, and Ade Adepitan at the opening of a new centre at Great Ormond Street hospital

Forest Gate teenager joins Sally Gunnell at Great Ormond Street opening

Luke Jacobs Monday, July 2, 2012
2:00 PM

A former Great Ormond Street Hospital patient from Forest Gate made an emotional return at the official opening of a new medical centre.

Jason Monero, 17, who was treated for a brain tumour six years ago, met Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell and Paralympic basketball player Ade Adepitan to introduce the Morgan Stanley Clinical Building.

It was the second time in three years he paid a visit to the facility, which is the first part of the £45 million Mittal Children’s Medical Centre.

Jason underwent surgery to remove the tumour in 2006, and has had multiple operations since.

Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital said: “Today was an important day for the hospital, for Jason to be part of it just demonstrates the incredible work we do here.

“I want to say a huge thank you to Sally and Ade for coming down to offer some words of encouragement to Jason and the other patients.”

Jason was at the opening to represent the new J N and Phyllis Somers Neurosciences Centre, known as Koala Ward, which brings together the neurology and neurosurgery wards.

It offers more space and en suite facilities providing more privacy and comfort for patients and their families.

The centre also includes a telemetry suite, where doctors can carry out detailed monitoring of a patient’s brain to assess complex neurological conditions such as epilepsy and establish whether they might benefit from surgery.