An ambitious plan to transform the delivery of health and care services in North Manchester and the surrounding boroughs is set to benefit from £54m of government funding, paving the way for the total redevelopment of the North Manchester General Hospital site.
Manchester City Council, Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust are working together on a vision for a new high-quality and sustainable campus at NMGH, which creates the best environment for healthy living, specialist care, and a focus for training and jobs for local people.
The successful £54m funding bid was made through the Department of Health and Social Care’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP), a major national initiative to invest in replacing and improving healthcare facilities.
It will allow enabling works such as a multi-storey car park, temporary accommodation for admin staff, and other site preparation activity to go ahead this autumn.
By preparing the site for full development, once the blueprint and final funding for the redevelopment of the hospital site is agreed in early 2021, building work can quickly begin.
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
The current NMGH site needs radical redesign and investment to provide high-quality services and a modern, joined-up care system.
Independent assessments have identified that over 70% of the existing estate is in desperate need of rebuilding.
The vision for the redevelopment – known as the Strategic Regeneration Framework – is to create a focal point for the community, with integrated health and social care facilities, high-quality new homes, and access to better education and training, alongside more-inviting public open spaces.
Sir Michael Deegan, chief executive of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, welcomed the funding award and its impact on delivery of the hospital site redevelopment:
“We have an ambitious vision to improve health and wellbeing for communities across North Manchester over the next 10-15 years,” he said.
“This initial £54m investment will enable the massive rebuilding programme to begin sooner and reduce the overall time it takes to complete.
he huge investment in this scheme will contribute to the city’s economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and create employment and business opportunities for people in the area
“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: “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.
“The huge investment in this scheme will contribute to the city’s economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and create employment and business opportunities for people in the area. It will be a real catalyst to regeneration.”
Sheppard Robson has been appointed as the architect for the development.