A transformation project that will see the emergency department at the Manchester Royal Infirmary receive a significant upgrade has been revealed by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.
Planning approval for the project has been accepted by Manchester City council, and artist impressions of the new buildings have been released. The expansion plans include upgrading the Emergency Department from 6 resuscitation bays to 10 and from 16 major cubicles to 27.
Julia Bridgewater, Chief Operating Officer at MFT, said: “MFT is the largest NHS Trust in England, with ten hospitals and a wide spread of clinical specialisms. These plans for MRI ED have been thoughtfully considered to best work in co-ordination with our other hospitals, and incorporate the capabilities of these different fields. This major transformation project will mean patients presenting at the MRI ED can be seen by the right people and receive the right treatment quicker in a much improved patient environment.”
Six new operating theatres are also planned, to help build the hospital’s role as a regional centre for specialist surgery.
The construction partner for the project has been announced as Integrated Health Projects, which is a joint venture between Robert McAlpine and VINCI Construction UK.
Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “If this year has taught us anything it’s that the resilience of our health service is the difference between disaster and survival. And at the front line of this is our A&E departments. Not only is this a welcome investment in the MRI, but sat alongside major projects at the North Manchester Health Campus and Wythenshawe Hospital, these developments represent sustained and long-term investment in our city-wide health infrastructure.
Work on the project is expected to start later this year. In total, the project will take three years to complete.
