North Manchester hospital revamp edges forward

The local NHS trust and its partners have secured £54m from the Government to enable the redevelopment of the North Manchester General Hospital site as part of a joint venture with developer Bruntwood.

Under the plans, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust wants to create a second health campus to follow the Citylabs 1.0 health and technology hub in Manchester’s Knowledge Quarter, which is being developed as part of the trust’s development JV with Bruntwood signed in 2016.

This second campus would focus on healthy living with a residential component included, as well as specialist care facilities and training and employment opportunities for local people.

The £54m of funding – secured from Whitehall by the NHS trust, Manchester City Council and the Manchester Health and Care Commissioning unit – is intended to help transform the delivery of health and care services in North Manchester and the surrounding boroughs, paving the way for the redevelopment of the site.

North Manchester General Hospital spans 67 acres in Crumpsall, 4km outside Manchester city centre. It is home to a district general hospital, intermediate care facility and a mental health hospital.

But the site requires a full redesign and substantial investment to upgrade hospital services provision, with around 70% of the estate identified as in need of rebuilding, independent planning consultants have said. North Manchester General was among three regional hospitals selected last year to receive a share of £100m from the Government’s health infrastructure pot.

The delivery partners, together with Bruntwood, are working on funding plans and a strategic regeneration framework for the redevelopment, expected to be agreed in early 2021 after which rebuilding work can begin, the trust said today.

The vision includes creating a “focal point for the community”, with integrated health and social care facilities, quality new homes and access to better education and training, alongside inviting public open spaces.

Sir Michael Deegan, chief executive of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have an ambitious vision to improve health and wellbeing for communities across North Manchester over the next 10 to 15 years.

“This initial £54m investment will enable the massive rebuilding programme to begin sooner and reduce the overall time it takes to complete.

“Regeneration of the NMGH site is fundamental to tackling the high levels of ill-health and disability affecting local people, delivering once-in-a-generation, transformational change.”

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, added: “This is a vital and very welcome step along the road to delivering a transformed North Manchester General Hospital.

“The importance of this project to the city cannot be overstated. Not only will it improve patient care and services, but it will also support health and wellbeing in the wider area. It will be a real catalyst to regeneration.”

Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest NHS trusts in the country. Its hospitals include Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, University Dental Hospital of Manchester, Trafford General, Altrincham Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital and Withington Hospital.

Last week, the trust lodged a planning application for a 32,000 sq ft temporary office to house hospital stuff once redevelopment work commences.

Bruntwood declined to comment on the project.