Today, Manchester Evening News is calling on the Government to tackle the urgent rebuild of North Manchester General Hospital and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to bring opportunity to people living in one of the most deprived areas.
Five years after Boris Johnson promised to transform NMGH, which has some of the oldest buildings in the NHS, it remains to be seen when much-needed work will begin.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting had hinted that redevelopment would go ahead, but plans have now been subject to review by the government and no commitments have been made.
Meanwhile, conditions on the ground have reached an intolerable point, and the situation has been likened to a “19th century workhouse.”
Some operating theaters were forced to close for several weeks after the ceiling collapsed, while others were forced to close due to poor ventilation, which may have increased the risk of infection.
A clinic for expectant mothers was forced to relocate after a roof leak caused mold to appear on the walls.
Lack of private rooms means dying patients have to be moved to open wards because isolation space is needed for infectious patients.
Consideration should be given to which patients can be accommodated in wards on upper floors, as they will need to be moved if a fire requires evacuation.
There is a significant lack of space in outpatient wards, which is impacting clinics.
Many of the buildings suffer from dangerous RAAC concrete
Although there is no indication that the hospital may close, the need for redevelopment is critical.
Staff speak of problems caused by the aging of the site ‘every day’, with funding being spent just to keep the building functional, essentially just ‘standing still’. .
There is a sophisticated regeneration plan that will turn this hospital into a center of NHS excellence.
But this development is much more than just a building. It has the potential to be a catalyst for change in one of the country’s most disadvantaged regions.
Tackling health disparities is the “holy grail.” Medical experts believe the investment could actually make the dream of bringing jobs and housing, and helping people with long-term illnesses return to work, become a reality. It could dramatically improve life in areas where people die younger and live longer in poor health, where people lose 10 years compared to other parts of the country.
The full plan would see the dilapidated building transformed into a health “campus.” It includes:
A new fully modernized district general hospital. Featuring a refurbished A&E, walk-in centre, delivery ward, operating theatres, X-ray facilities and outpatient facilities, care and treatment are closely integrated with local services and supported by state-of-the-art digital. System and remote monitoring
An educational hub to attract, train, and develop the region’s top doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers
New housing could include worker accommodation, social housing, and retirement care for people who are not sick enough to be hospitalized but not healthy enough to stay at home.
A welfare hub providing community-based care and support with a cafe, farm and village green space
Stores and offices that boost local business and employment
However, despite repeated promises, no government has fully committed to funding the project or a start date.
We argue that this must change. Hospital leaders need urgent progress so work can begin in 2025.
The story began when Boris Johnson visited NMGH in 2019 and promised a “total rebuild” of the Crumpsall site. He said: “I think that plan will cost around £500m. We are currently starting on that plan. We have given them permission to start on it.”
“They’re going to have to demolish the old Victorian building and build a nice new site. It’s going to cost a lot of money, but we have to start.
“We have the funding to do it and we will make the funding available because we think that is the number one priority of the British people.”
Hospital leaders developed a plan to transform the site. Groundwork has begun and millions of dollars have been poured into preparations for construction to begin. The mental health center and multi-storey car park were completed, but not fully funded.
Rushorum lawmaker Afzal Khan admonished the government in parliament for making “little progress” as the ceiling of the theater collapsed, but nothing happened.
In 2023, Conservative peer Lord Nick Markham, who was responsible for delivering 40 new hospital projects, pledged to provide part of the £20bn funding for the projects, with construction expected to start in 2025. He promised the Manchester Evening News it would be completed by 2030. Again, the hospital was not given funding to start operations.
Before and after the general election, Health Secretary Wes Streeting promised work on a multi-million pound North Manchester scheme. But last month Mr Streeting apologized and said the plans needed to be revisited as part of the government’s review of spending on new hospitals.
Just last week, the Minister for Health and Gorton Denton MP Andrew Gwynne refused to say whether the hospital would receive the full amount promised, allowing it to operate as planned in 2025.
Meanwhile, buildings are falling apart, making it increasingly difficult for staff to provide the care they desire.
That’s enough. The people of Manchester deserve better. You can help by signing our petition in the Manchester Evening News calling on Wes Street to:
Please sign our petition and tell your friends and family.
-Credit: North Manchester General Hospital
Support our campaign
Graham Stringer, MP for Brackley South Middleton South, pledged his support to the Manchester Evening News campaign, saying: ‘The North Manchester case is absolutely overwhelming from a health perspective. “The health crisis in North Manchester is one of the worst in the country.” , and in terms of employment, it is hard to believe that there is another hospital in the country that has the same needs and potential benefits as North Manchester.
“They are effectively working in 19th-century workhouses.[The government]clearly wants to slow down some cities. It shouldn’t slow down north Manchester.”
“No matter what, the work is progressing. We don’t want to break it. There is a cost to delaying…
“What I’m concerned about is that if you don’t have bulldozers there, if you don’t have spades in the ground, you’re always at risk of it not happening. It’s great that the Evening News is running a campaign. That’s true, and I strongly support it. ”
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham recently took responsibility for the region’s health. He said he would use his authority to push Wes Streeting to fund the project. “North Manchester has some of the oldest wards in the NHS, dating back to the late 19th century.
“Basically, the pot (of money) is not there. I was meeting with the Health Secretary (in early October) and making these points. Given the system we have, , we have to get things in order – and we have to be North Manchester top.”
Councilor Bev Craig, leader of Manchester City Council, said: ‘North Manchester is an area with some of the worst health conditions and highest levels of poverty in the country… There is an urgent need for a new hospital, but… This plan will bring a lot to the table.” I will be appealing to the Government to ensure we make progress by focusing more on making people healthier, building new homes, regenerating communities and creating new jobs to grow our economy. . ”
Mark Cubbon, chief executive of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said: In the meantime, we will continue to prepare the site for the start of construction. ”
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to change Manchester. The ripple effects of this type of redevelopment will bring opportunity to an area that has suffered the effects of poverty and lack of opportunity for generations. We have a one-time chance to change our lives.
If you want to do something to make a difference today, please sign our petition.
