Manchester NHS bidding for Good Growth cash

While the new North Manchester General Hospital may have £1.5bn in backing from central government, other development projects will need to win money from the likes of Greater Manchester Combined Authority’s £2bn investment fund to come to fruition.

This includes the first phase of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust’s wider masterplan for North Manchester General Hospital, a plan that seeks to create a healthy neighbourhood alongside the healthcare facility.

North Manchester General Hospital

The first phase of this residential project, which would focus on delivering affordable homes and key worker housing, is dependent on a successful bid to the Good Growth Fund, according to a Manchester City Council report.

While MFT waits to see if it will secure Good Growth funding, it is also looking to engage with potential registered provider delivery partners.

The £1.5bn hospital itself is progressing well – with main contractor Bovis lined up to begin construction at some point between 2027 and 2028. The scheme is currently in RIBA Design Stage 1.

More details on North Manchester General Hospital project are due to emerge in the coming weeks.

Darren Banks, interim deputy trust chief executive of the MFT, said that the scheme would “transform healthcare” and support redevelopment in North Manchester.

“As outlined in the report to Manchester’s Health Scrutiny Committee, we are making good progress in these early stages, with design work underway for a state-of-the-art hospital, which will be one of the most digitally advanced in the country when it opens,” Banks said.

“We will create modern facilities designed around the needs of patients, colleagues and our local communities. We will also focus on preventing disease and tackling the root causes of ill health, using innovation to improve health outcomes for generations to come.

“Alongside the healthcare benefits, the programme will support jobs and skills development, kickstarting economic growth and wider regeneration. We are committed to working with our partners and the local community to deliver this ambitious programme and will provide further updates as our plans progress.”

Wythenshawe Hospital

Moving away from North Manchester, MFT is also after funds to support the revamp Wythenshawe Hospital Campus into a sustainable health village. A refreshed masterplan for the campus includes health and wellbeing facilities and housing plans for key workers and the elderly.

There is no funding for a new hospital at Wythenshawe, however the city council report said MFT would look to the GMCA’s Good Growth Fund for support, as well as “innovative funding mechanisms with partners that harness the long-term benefits of the masterplan”.

MFT is confident enough in securing investment that it is looking to start enabling works for the masterplan’s delivery – including demolishing the Baguley buildings to the south of the campus. These are not fit for purpose, according to the trust, and have a substantial maintenance backlog.

The trust is working with Bruntwood on crafting a pre-development services agreement to move the masterplan forward.

Other updates

MFT has been busy, with a series of development projects in the works – some of which have already secured their funding, and others that are optimistic of receiving support from the NHS’s Neighbourhood Health Hub programme. Details are from the city council’s healthcare-led regeneration report.

• Harpurhey Health Hub: £6.2m in funding has been secured to deliver the GP element of the hub, which will see three surgeries co-locate. The hub will be more than just a GP surgery, however, with plans to bring in community, mental health, and diagnostic services as well. A site has been identified and an outline business case progressed.
• Miles Platting Hub: Unfunded, but MFT is looking to see if pension funds will be interested in investing. This involves relocating the Victoria Mill health services to a new facility off Oldham Road. Outline business case will be ready in early 2027.
• Wythenshawe Park Sports Hub: The build likely to start in autumn for this hub that will partner Northern Moor GP practice with a sports facility. To be delivered in partnership with Manchester Active and the Football Foundation.
• Hawthorn Medical Practice: Fully funded with construction to begin this summer and complete next year. This health centre is being delivered in partnership with the University of Manchester and Manchester City Council. A temporary site is being sought to hold the medical practice from the end of December until construction finishes – as the practice has been issued a notice to leave by a national supermarket chain.
• Town Hall Extension Health Centre: Funding needed for this project to relocate the City Health Centre GP Practice and walk-in centre to the ground floor of the Town Hall Extension. MFT is hopeful it will win support from the Neighbourhood Health Hub programme.
• Chorlton Hub: Looking for funding from the Neighbourhood Health Hub. A site has been found off Manchester Road and a feasibility study done to support the relocation of Manchester’s third largest GP practice.
• Sandhills Victoria North and Red Bank Victoria North: Appraisal work ongoing for these two hubs, which would be created to support the citizens of the new town of Victoria North.