The £8.5m unit includes wards on two levels, a new outpatient department, a four-bed day surgery unit and physiotherapy and occupational therapy areas.

Staff and patients have given their own ideas on the building of the centre which has taken 18 months to complete.

The Trauma Unit is expected to treat 22,000 outpatients and 3,500 inpatients each year.

Mr Keith Willett, consultant trauma surgeon said: "The new unit gives us the space and equipment we need to continue our leading role in trauma service delivery.

"This can only be a good thing for the staff who work here and for the patients we treat".

David Highton, chief executive said: "This building has been designed and built in less than 18 months with the input of all staff groups involved and will offer a modern space to treat patients coming into the John Radcliffe through the emergency system."