The project has received funding through the Department of Health and Social Care’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP) initiative.
Sheppard Robson, as Lead Consultant and Architect, has been appointed to transform the North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) estate, creating a focal point for the community with integrated health and social care facilities, high-quality new homes and access to better education and training, alongside the creation of major new public open spaces.
Sheppard Robson in turn selected Richard Dryden: Director MAC Construction Consultants (MAC) to support the design team in the capacity of Disability Access & Inclusion Consultants.
The project includes master-planning, complete redevelopment of the acute hospital buildings, as well as the education centre and administration buildings. MAC’s role has also been extended to cover the multi-storey car park and Health & Wellbeing Hub through AFL Architects.
The overarching aim of the masterplan is to promote active and healthy lifestyles and the wellbeing of staff, patients, visitors and the community. The masterplan’s design principle is to create a highly sustainable collection of buildings set around a new “village green.” This high-quality green space will act as a focal point for the local community to use as an extension of the local neighbourhood for their health and care needs.
MAC’s Richard Dryden stated: “This project further strengthens the working relationship between myself and Sheppard Robson, who have been working closely together on major capital schemes for nearly ten years. Our role working as Access & Inclusion Consultant on such a prestigious and complex scheme for NMGH is a privilege, while further strengthening MAC’s burgeoning health sector offering.”
MAC’s role includes design appraisals and guidance, development of ‘Access Strategies’, liaising with statutory bodies and notably consultation with numerous and stakeholder and end-user groups.
Alex Solk, Partner at Sheppard Robson and the practice’s healthcare lead, said: “It’s rare to work on a scheme with such ambition and that will have such transformative outcomes for the local community, and we are pleased to be working alongside MAC on this project. We are radically rethinking the estate, and the services and facilities provided, while also reshaping the relationship the hospital has with its community – a process that will have a far-reaching and lasting impact.”
The project is one of the first to receive funding through the Department of Health and Social Care’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP) initiative, a major national initiative to invest in replacing and improving healthcare facilities.
