Hicks, who has worked at the hospital for 35 years, said: “There is a bit of a running joke, when the project was first talked about… I said I’ll believe it when we are actually walking around.
“Here we are today with Prince William walking around this fabulous facility, and we are living it and breathing it – it is truly amazing.”
Prince William was given a tour of the site, which included the new maternity suite, minor injury unit, inpatient ward, and care home.
The facility secured planning and national funding approvals in May 2024, and the build began three months later.
Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said the project was a collaboration between them, Council of the Isles of Scilly, primary care, Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, voluntary sector partners and mental health services in collaboration with the Duchy of Cornwall.
Chris Mitchell, Head of Integrated Professions, said the old building was a challenge but a “loved challenge”.
“The building that we have got now will just help support our team here on the Isles of Scilly to deliver the healthcare that they passionately believe that they can deliver on the island,” he said.