Bosses at a private hospital near Norwich have pledged to continue to improve facilities and treatments for patients after celebrating the building's 30th anniversary.

Spire Norwich Hospital, formerly Bupa, was officially opened in October 1983 in Colney, and has gone on to treat 40,000 patients a year.

The hospital, which changed to Spire Healthcare in 2007 following a buy-out, has seen £4.5m of investment over the last six years.

Officials recently opened a new oncology unit, which has been designed to cater specifically for the needs of patients undergoing chemotherapy, and the private hospital has also injected £600,000 into its MRI scanning capabilities this year.

Over the course of the last three decades, the hospital has expanded offering a range of services across more than 25 medical specialities with 220 consultants currently working in partnership with the organisation.

Dan Cyprus, hospital director, said: 'We are extremely proud of our 30-year heritage in private healthcare and our values as an organisation. Our services are available to private patients, some of whom choose to pay for one-off treatment and many who use private medical insurance. In recent years we've also supported local NHS pressures where possible to help improve the health of Norfolk patients. Patient care is at the heart of everything we do and as a result our patient satisfaction levels continue to rise even 30 years after our doors first opened.'

Spire was formed from the sale of Bupa Hospitals to private equity company Cinven in 2007, followed by the purchase of Classic Hospitals and Thames Valley Hospital in 2008.

Mr Cyprus added: 'I would like to say a big thank you to staff and consultants, past and present, for their tremendous support. Thirty years on we're stronger than ever thanks to the dedication of so many over three decades. Of most importance I would like to thank the patients who have used the facility and helped keep the hospital healthy during its time.'

Spire Norwich Hospital is hosting a free cosmetic surgery information evening on Thursday, November 7 from 7.30pm with consultant surgeons talking about different procedures and available to answer questions.

For more information, call 01603 255 515.