It's stylish, modern and cost £40 million to build. After a wait of five years, the public were allowed a glimpse of the flagship urban hospital in Edgware.

The new Edgware Community Hospital will open fully on March 15 next year, having undergone a huge refurbishment from its previous incarnation as a decrepit Victorian building last week listed as one of the filthiest in the country.

"This is the first in a new breed of hospitals," said Hendon MP Andrew Dismore. "It will open up to the community in a way the NHS hasn't done before. It's a flagship urban hospital for providing intermediate care. I'm very proud of it."

Although there have been obvious aesthetic improvements, the main emphasis has been on giving patients a more personal service. The birth centre, which comprises six bedrooms with en suite facilities, attempts to recreate a home from home' atmosphere and offers a birthing pool to expectant mothers.

Likewise, many of the treatment rooms are for one or two people instead of crowded Florence Nightingale-style' larger wards. There is also a large library open to the public, a therapy centre which resembles a large dance studio, and a pharmacy.

Charles Hollwey, chief executive of Barnet Primary Care Trust, said: "I'm sure it will alleviate the pressure on Barnet and Chase Farm, as well as hospitals such as Northwick Park."

Stan Davison, chairman of the Hands Off Our Hospitals campaign, said: "We now have a modern hospital, with modern facilities, which will benefit the local community. But we still want to make sure that we have the best diagnostic facilities available in the hospital and the full number of beds promised."