Construction giant to deliver £25m social value plan as part of hospital upgrade

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to deliver a £25m enabling works package and multi-storey car park (MSCP) and cycle hub as part of the total redevelopment of the North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH) site.

NMGH – located in Crumpsall, 3.5 miles outside Manchester city centre – is one of the new hospitals to receive funding through the Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan, backed by an initial £3.7bn which is aimed at delivering 40 new hospitals across the country by 2030.

Alongside health and care services, the redevelopment will provide the employment, housing and economic opportunities that are key to generating long term growth and prosperity for North Manchester.

The project, led by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust with Manchester City Council and Manchester Health and Care Commissioning, will not only provide essential redevelopment to an estate which is in critical need of investment, but also serve as a catalyst for the wider economic regeneration of North Manchester.

Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to deliver enabling works ahead of the rebuild, including temporary car parking, asbestos removal, demolition, clinical refurbishment works and a new-build 1,000 space MSCP and cycle hub.

As part of the appointment, Morgan Sindall Construction has created a Social Value Plan which will provide £15.5m of return on investment into the local community. The plan, as well as addressing the specific local context and requirements of North Manchester, will also support the Greater Manchester Living with COVID Resilience Plan. The plan includes:

• A specially built Knowledge Quad. Following the model’s success at Morgan Sindall Construction’s work at Liverpool City Council’s Knowledge Quarter and the University of Salford’s Science, Engineering and Environment (SEE) building, the Knowledge Quad will be used by Morgan Sindall Construction and partners, including the hospital, for its own community health and engagement initiatives
• Partnerships with local schools that will support pupils with their personal and academic development to help them to make career choices that are right for the individual, their industry of choice and the community in which they live and work
• A focus on young people, apprentices, furloughed workers, those who need re-skilling/re-training and newly and longer term unemployed people
• Integration with the hospital and local community, supporting social enterprises, social groups and charities such as the We Love Manchester charity, to ensure the area’s diverse local population is fully engaged with the educational, employment and health opportunities available as a result of the enabling works taking place
• A commitment to contribute to the city’s net zero ambitions

When complete, the new hospital estate will be 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 more inviting public spaces.

Shaun Jones, Manchester area director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The appointment to begin the radical reshaping of a healthcare estate is, in itself, a significant responsibility.

“However, the opportunity to deliver social and economic change as a result of our work and to support the local recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic means this is a project that comes with a real sense of duty.

“This development will effect generational change for North Manchester, creating new jobs, promoting healthy lifestyles, developing skills and contributing to a zero carbon environment for the benefit of the local neighbourhood and beyond.”

Ian Lurcock, chief executive of North Manchester General Hospital, said: “The ambitious redevelopment programme at NMGH will help us to improve the health, wellbeing and prosperity of local people by delivering outstanding health and care services alongside economic regeneration opportunities.

“Delivering social value is a key priority for MFT, ensuring patients, staff and the wider community are actively involved in shaping a vibrant and prosperous community in North Manchester.”