Work starts on National Breast Imaging Academy following ground breaking

Ground has been broken ahead of construction of the National Breast Imaging Academy in Manchester.

Breast cancer survivor, Rebecca Hartley, carried out the ceremonial duty at the Wythenshawe Hospital site, along with Coronation Street actress Sue Cleaver, who have fronted a fundraising appeal to start the construction.

The start of construction follows a three-year campaign to raise the £3.9m for the build, jointly run by charities Prevent Breast Cancer and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust Charity.

The academy building will provide a home for a national training programme for breast imaging specialists, training 50 additional imaging staff from apprentice level through to radiographers every year.

These specialists will go on to work all over the country.

CGI of the academy

The site will also increase breast screening capacity in the area by up to 13,000 appointments annually – helping more local women be seen for mammograms.

Rebecca and Sue Cleaver were joined by Wythenshawe and Sale East MP Mike Kan, along with representatives from both charities. Kathy Cowell, chairman of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, led the group in breaking ground.

Rebecca said: “I’m so thrilled to help break the ground on this incredible building and take the first step towards a better breast imaging service for women all over the country. This building means such a lot to me; it’s hugely important for women all over the country that we act now to provide the training for the breast imaging specialists of tomorrow, so that we can keep screening women and saving lives.”

MFT Charity and Prevent Breast Cancer have jointly fundraised for £3.9m to secure the building, with a final £500,000 left to go.

Kathy Cowell, chairman of MFT Trust and Charity, said: “This academy is a hugely important part of the fight against breast cancer, creating thousands of new specialists over the years and helping to increase the number of breast imaging appointments in Manchester by a huge 13,000 every year.

“Our thanks go to every single person, business and organisation who has supported our campaign and helped make this academy a reality – and to anyone still wanting to support, please dig deep: every penny makes a difference.”

Construction of the academy is expected to take around 10 months, and training courses are already being delivered virtually. It will be located next to The Nightingale Centre, which is one of the largest purpose-built breast centres in Europe.

The construction company is John Turner Construction Group. The architect is AFL Architects. Project management is provided by DAB Projects.