Plans unveiled for £14m Withington diagnostics facility
A consultation has launched today on Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s proposals to deliver the hub in the suburb, increasing local access to cardiorespiratory and endoscopy services.
DAY Architecture is designing the scheme, which would be delivered within the southern corner of the existing Withington Hospital site.
The trust’s proposals would see the creation of a two-storey Community Diagnostics Facility to provide a range of checks, scans, and tests away from major hospitals.
Possible tests include X-rays, ultrasounds, heart scans, blood tests, and colonoscopies.
A full landscape design will be also developed as proposals progress with plans for new cyclist and pedestrian access points, as well as a main arrival plaza from Burton Road.
Three drop-off bays and six accessible car parking spaces would be provided for visitors.
The CDC would provide cardiorespiratory and endoscopy services. Credit: DAY Architects
Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s plans reflect a £14.2m investment into its services.
The trust runs 10 hospitals across the city including Manchester Royal Infirmary, Trafford General Hospital, Altrincham Hospital, Wythenshawe Hospital, and, of course, Withington Hospital.
Professor Jane Eddleston, joint group medical director for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The multi-million-pound funding for this proposed centre is the single largest investment in Withington Community Hospital in its history and will increase the speed at which patients can access tests and receive results.
“That means they will either be reassured more quickly or start their treatment earlier.”
She added: “Quicker diagnosis saves lives, while at the same time, this centre will cut the need for people in West Didsbury and south Manchester to travel to either Manchester Royal Infirmary or Wythenshawe Hospital for these investigations.”
The consultation will run until Wednesday 7 June and can be found at mft.nhs.uk.
This is a disgrace. The plans are going to make parking even harder for residents on local roads – we already can’t park due to people not using the hospital car park – including the doctors who park on our street. The entrance to the car park should have been changed and moved as Nell Lane already gets blocked up. MCC do not care about West Didsbury residents and this will devalue my house. We are completely overwhelmed by people parking on our road already.
By Anonymous
your parking is not a right. can’t believe you’re calling health infrastructure ‘a disgrace’ because you need to park your wagon. West Didsbury has excellent transport links, either buy a house with a driveway or take the tram.
By NJ
Sure local parking is bad, because hospital parking is expensive, and people accessing healthcare treatment don’t always have the ability to utilise public transport. Parking is worse at the weekend, when the hospital is closed, so i’m pretty sure people having diagnostics tests/ doctors aren’t the number one cause of congestion, feel like the big car brunch crowd might be playing a bigger part here. I’m fine with navigating congested roads so people can access more timely healthcare – we are crying out for NHS facilities! Surely it would be better to campaign for free hospital parking for NHS Staff and people attending appointments then block a much needed development which will positively impact people’s lives for decades?
By West Dids resident
I think it’s a excellent proposal it will free up the larger hospital to cater better for in patients go for you have my support
By Kathleen