Construction begins on National Breast Imaging Academy
John Turner Construction has broken ground at the Wythenshawe Hospital project after a three-year campaign raised £3.9m for the build.
The National Breast Imaging Academy will host a training programme for breast imaging specialists, training an additional 50 imaging staff from apprentice level to radiographers each year.
With a floorspace of 4,000 sq ft, the building will host two mammography rooms, two ultrasound rooms, and three consultation rooms.
Graduates will be able to work across the country using skills learned at the academy.
The scheme is expected to take around 10 months to complete the project.
Once the project completes, breast screening capacity in the area will increase by 13,000 appointments each year, according to Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
The building was designed by AFL Architects, while project management is being handled by DAB Projects.
Fundraising for the project was spearheaded by cancer survivor Rebecca Hartley and Coronation Street actor Sue Cleaver.
Their campaign, which raised just shy of £4m, was supported by Prevent Breast Cancer and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity.
Rebecca Hartley praised what would be an “incredible building” that would help provide a “better breast imaging service for women all over the country”.
She added: “It’s hugely important…that we act now to provide the training for the breast imaging specialists of tomorrow so that we can keep screening women and saving lives.”
Kathy Cowell, chair of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This Academy is a hugely important part of the fight against breast cancer, creating thousands of specialists over the years and helping to increase the number of breast imaging appointments in Manchester by a huge 13,000 every year.”
Contractor John Turner Construction has a wealth of experience in the hospital sector, having refurbished operating theatres at Salford Royal Hospital and the entranceway to Liverpool’s Heart and Chest Hospital.
