The £100,000 refurbishment has been made possible thanks to a £20,000 investment by the University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and donations of £56,000 from the Friends of the Hospital of St. Cross and £20,000 from Diabetes UK.

Joan, who died last May, was a former ward sister at St. Cross and a long-serving member of the Friends, who had long-standing connections with the diabetes service.

Thanking everyone involved, her husband Ivor said he was proud, privileged and honoured to be officially opening the centre. "Joan would have been thrilled to know all her efforts and dedication have been recognised in such a magnificent way," he said.

"Patient care was paramount to Joan and she campaigned and achieved so much for the benefit of patients and staff.

"I hope this centre and the hospital will continue its good work for many, many years to come."

Moving the diabetic unit to Swift House at the Barby Road site has meant that new services including patient education and meeting facilities can be offered. It is also the first centre in the country to have the very latest web-based Hicom Technology patient management system.

Diabetes consultant Paul O'Hare said: "With the leadership of specialist nurse Lynda Dobson, it's been about creating a home for people with diabetes, where they will be treated with respect and dignity, and they can drop in and receive the assistance they need."

Friends chairperson Joan Jesson said: "It is wonderful to see our donation making a practical difference to the patients here in Rugby."

Ann-Marie Cannaby, Director of Nursing for the University Hospitals NHS Trust added: "This new centre is the first of many developments for the hospital and demonstrates our commitment to the services here in Rugby."