The new emergency department at Wythenshawe Hospital
The £17 million emergency department (ED) expansion of Wythenshawe Hospital, which will significantly enhance patient experience and care, has been designed to improve the patient environment with larger colour-coded treatment rooms and cubicles, as well as more comfortable facilities for patients and their families from across south Manchester and Trafford.
The two-storey building will also house two additional resuscitation bays, two new X-ray rooms and the children’s emergency department will be improved and expanded – as part of further redevelopment work.
Improvements in this first stage include 25 new majors cubicles for patients with more serious injuries, plus a new reception and waiting area with improved triage and ambulance bays. There will also be two dedicated rooms for mental health patients and three new staff bases.
ED Matron Joanna Jarvis commented; "Designed with the patient at its centre, this new development will ensure that our clinical teams can deliver enhanced, high quality, emergency treatment in an improved environment, with state-of-the-art facilities."
This major expansion project is being delivered in three phases. The second phase is an internal refurbishment to the existing department to provide a new resuscitation area, Children’s Emergency Department and X-ray facilities, which is set to be completed in late 2018. The third phase concentrates on refurbishment works to provide relative’s facilities, offices and seminar rooms, due to finish in early 2019.
A successful season start for Wythenshawe Rugby
Wythenshawe Community Rugby Union Club made a flying start to their first ever league campaign, winning each of their first six games to leave them top of the league with maximum points, and the only team to remain unbeaten.
With wins over Heaton Moor (52-19), Bury (69-3) and Oldham (56-27), Wythenshawe are making their mark in the Sale Sharks Division 5 east. "Team morale remains high" according to club president Dave Birchenall, “but we appreciate that there is still a long way to go and we must focus on each game.
"We set ourselves some very high standards pre-season and to sit on top of the league is a credit to the hard training put in under the guidance of the experienced head coach Piat. The boys have responded well and given all he has asked."
'In The News' Win Northenden Boat Race 2018
In the News sailed to victory, despite tough weather conditions in this year’s Northenden Boat Race.
The victorious boat, crewed by boat race newbies Dom Bond and James Nightingale, managed a credible 14 minutes 45 seconds to take first place.
Last year’s winners Shaun Boater came in second at 15 minutes 32 seconds, and third place Hey! Boat Down! at 16 minutes 15 seconds. The canoe race was won by Dave Metcalfe and Geoff Paley in Wendy Wishes with a time of 15 minutes 5 seconds.
More than 30 boats entered this year, racing from Simon’s Bridge at Didsbury to the Tatton Arms bridge, Northenden.
Race winners Dom and James say they will be back next year to defend their title: "We are very pleased to have won in our first year competing, and glad to be raising money for a good cause. We’ll be back next year prepared for a tough showing!"
The very first boat race was between two friends, Andy Cameron and Mark Chapman. As with most stories it started in the pub, as a challenge. It took place just after the turn of the century in the middle of a torrential downpour; the result being a closely guarded secret! It wasn't until 2006 that the race took shape as a formal event.
The boat race raises money each year for The Christie and as Andy says: "It's a nice event that brings the Northenden community together. We are all very proud to be involved in organising the race and there are many unsung heroes behind the scenes all working hard, doing their bit to make it a success on the day."
The final total raised for The Christie will be calculated after the presentation evening at the Crown Inn, Northenden on 27 October, and will be published in our next issue.
Affordable new homes for Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) continues to build new homes as part of its £100m development programme, creating 836 new homes by 2021.
The £500,000 Woodhouse View development in Woodhouse Park was part funded by Homes England and comprises three, two-bedroomed houses and two, two-bedroomed bungalows for affordable rent; completion took place in April 2018.
Woodhouse View creates a quiet cul-de-sac, is close to local shops, schools, the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, and is set alongside superb transport links.
These new affordable, quality homes leave a sustainable legacy for the Wythenshawe community.
New tenant at Woodhouse View, Tomiqua Munro said: “I’m delighted to move into my new home. It’s a really great size and in a very convenient location. Thank you to WCHG for all their help in making the process very easy and straightforward.”
Group chief executive of WCHG Nigel Wilson said: “I’m delighted that tenants have now moved into the Woodhouse View development as these homes have created much needed affordable housing in the Wythenshawe community. WCHG will continue to explore every opportunity to keep building new homes and help play our part in addressing the housing crisis across the UK.”
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MEA students prepared for success
Amazon’s drive to encourage Manchester pupils to embrace a future career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) continued when the local fulfilment centre made a donation to Manchester Enterprise Academy to support British Science Week.
The Amazon Manchester team made a special visit to the school to donate £1,000 which will be used to fund new science equipment and a trip to the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham. To celebrate British Science Week, local Wythenshawe-based Haveley Hey primary school pupils also joined Manchester Enterprise Academy for their day of science enrichment.
Speaking on the donation, Amazon’s Manchester site lead, Neil Travis said:
“British Science Week is a fantastic initiative and we are delighted to continue supporting schools across the UK. At Amazon, we know first-hand how important it is to encourage young people to be involved in STEM.
“Such skills open up a new world of future career possibilities, including many at Amazon where our engineers, IT specialists and other team members use the latest technology to provide innovative customer solutions.”
The Manchester site is also fitted out with advanced Amazon robotics technology. The robots slide under a tower of shelves where products are stowed, lift it and move it through the fulfilment centre. Laura McLean, head of science at Manchester Enterprise Academy added:
“As technology continues to advance and play a critical role in today’s society, we must ensure our students have the STEM skill set to succeed in the careers of tomorrow. We are very grateful to Amazon for their support and had a wonderful two days celebrating science with Amazon staff, Manchester Enterprise Academy students and Haveley Hey primary school.”
Manchester Enterprise Academy welcomed the donation during British Science Week as part of the company’s ‘Amazon in the Community’ programme, whereby the company supports communities where it operates.
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