Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell pays a visit to the newly refurbished NIHR / Wellcome Trust Manchester Children’s Clinical Research Facility
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell spoke of her delight as she visited the newly refurbished NIHR / Wellcome Trust Manchester Children’s Clinical Research Facility (CRF).
The President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester enjoyed a tour of the revamped facility at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, ahead of its official launch event on Tuesday 7th June.
CRF Director, Professor Nick Webb; Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CMFT) Chief Executive, Sir Michael Deegan and Medical Director, Professor Bob Pearson were on hand to showcase the ward’s brand new equipment and facilities.
Professor Rothwell was accompanied on her visit by the University’s Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, Professor Clive Agnew; Head of Undergraduate Medical Education, Professor Tony Freemont; Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Human Sciences, Professor Ian Greer and Michael Spence, Students’ Union Education Officer.
Visitors saw the facility’s renovated rooms including the brand new, state-of-the-art audiology booth, and equipment and technologies such as an interactive display screen in the Play Room; television and facilities in the Parent’s Room and atmospheric lighting, comfy furniture and entertainment in the Chill Out Room.
(L-R): Professor Bob Pearson, Sir Michael Deegan, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Professor Nick Webb, Professor Ian Greer, Professor Tony Freemont, Professor Clive Agnew
Professor Webb pointed out key details in the design process such as the theme of ‘senses’ cascading throughout the facility on the walls and ceilings, and a corresponding game for young patients to enjoy.
The revamp has been made possible by Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity donors; with hospital art charity, Lime Arts, transforming the vision of patients and their families to create a new environment for the facility, through art and design.
Professor Rothwell said: “It was a pleasure to visit the newly renovated CRF and see the fantastic equipment, games and facilities that are now on offer for patients and their families to make their stay in hospital that little bit easier, more relaxed and enjoyable.”
Facilities such as these play a key role in translating scientific discoveries from The University of Manchester into real life patient benefit. The work and dedication that has gone into the project, and the benefits to staff and patients alike, were very evident.
Professor Webb added: “Researchers at the Children’s CRF work across CMFT and The University of Manchester to deliver cutting-edge paediatric research. The refurbishment of our Children’s CRF means that we will be able to run more studies, and support more young patients with life-limiting or terminal conditions.”
Following the CRF visit, Professor Rothwell went on to an open meeting with undergraduate and postgraduate students, followed by a question and answer session with CMFT staff.
