News

Salford parents walk 120 miles to raise money in memory of their daughter

A couple from Salford have completed a 120 mile walk in memory of their daughter, Gracie, who tragically passed from cancer aged just 6.

The Manc The Manc - 30th September 2020
ITV

A couple from Salford have completed an epic four-day walk covering 120 miles in memory of their daughter, Gracie, who passed away from cancer aged 6.

Caroline Hart and John Jones conquered the incredible trek from Worsley to their purchased home in Filey, Yorkshire – which they’ve called ‘Ace Grace Place’.

The property is set to be loaned to families with children who are receiving care at Manchester Children’s Hospital’s cancer ward – where Grace was cared for.

Ace Grace Place will function as a spot where poorly children and their families can relax and play.

All proceeds from the walk will be donated to the Manchester Children’s Hospital play area – which will undergo a revamp.

ADVERTISEMENT

Speaking to ITV News, Grace’s mum described her daughter as a “super, sassy diva extraordinaire.”

“It was horrific when we knew we were going to lose her,” said Caroline.

ADVERTISEMENT

“But the memories we’ve got of her are just so special.”

The couple arrived at Ace Grace Place at nighttime, rounding off the walk with a “well deserved massive glass of redders”.

The fundraiser has generated an incredible £69,000 so far.

You can learn more about the Ace Grace Foundation here.

News

Nurses plea for Government support as 90% say patient safety is being ‘compromised’

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Patients dying in corridors, a lack of equipment, and generally unsafe practices are the findings of a harrowing new report into nursing.

Towards the end of last month, the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) – which is biggest nursing union and professional body in the world, with more than 500,000 members – asked its members to answer a short survey into the state of nursing throughout 2024, and thousands of nurses across the UK responded.

The report documents the experiences of more than 5,000 NHS nursing staff, with several raw, unedited, and often heartbreaking responses included, all of which confirm that ‘corridor care’, as it’s known, is “widespread” nationwide.

Almost seven in 10 (66.8%) respondents said they’re delivering care in “over-crowded or unsuitable places”, such as corridors, converted cupboards, and even car parks, on a daily basis.

More than nine in 10 (90.8%) said patient safety is being “compromised”.

According to the findings from the survey, demoralised nursing staff reported caring for as many as 40 patients in a single corridor, and find they are unable to access oxygen, cardiac monitors, suction, and other lifesaving equipment during this time.

Some of the more shocking accounts including in the report are of female patients miscarrying in corridors, and nurses being unable to provide adequate or timely CPR to patients having heart attacks.

Nursing staff also report cancer patients being put in corridors and other “inappropriate” spaces.

Nurses are calling for Government support as 90% say patient safety is being ‘compromised’ / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)

More than a quarter of nursing staff surveyed said they weren’t told the corridor they were providing care in was classed as a “temporary escalation space”, which is what the report says NHS England referred to it as, and this means that certain risk protocols and measures may not be in place to ease pressures and protect patients.

This is why the RCN is calling on officials to publish how many patients are being cared for in corridors and other inappropriate places.

The union is urging the Government and NHS England from an RCN-led coalition.

RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, Professor Nicola Ranger, said this devastating testimony from frontline nursing staff shows patients are coming to harm “every day”, and are “forced” to endure unsafe treatment.

“The revelations from our wards must now become a moment in time,” Professor Ranger said.

Read more:

“A moment for bold Government action on an NHS which has been neglected for so long. Ministers cannot shirk responsibility and need to recognise that recovering patient care will take new investment, including building a strong nursing workforce.”

Featured Image – Pxhere

News

Manchester may finally get a lido as part of plans for a new ‘woodland town’

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Plans to transform Holt Town in Manchester

A lido may be on the way to Manchester for the first time in decades, as part of major plans to regenerate Holt Town.

The area just beyond Ancoats and New Islington could be transformed into a ‘woodland town’, with thousands of new homes and high quality green spaces.

The new town would ‘bridge the gap’ between the bustling city centre and major cultural venues like Co-op Live, the Etihad Stadium, and all the other facilities at SportCity and the Etihad Campus.

If it all goes ahead as planned, Holt Town will be home to a lido – something that’s been on a lot of Manchester wishlists for decades.

Plans include building around 4,500 new homes- including at least 20% genuinely affordable properties, family housing, apartments and age-friendly homes.

It’ll all incorporate high quality green spaces surrounding a 1km play street spine, provision of new local services, cultural opportunities, and significant affordable workspace, plus a focus on green travel rather than car use.

Around 15 acres of green space would be created, enhancing Holt Town’s proximity to the canals and rivers.

How Holt Town could look after its regeneration. Credit: Supplied
How Holt Town could look after its regeneration. Credit: Supplied
Holt Town's regeneration plans include a lido for Manchester
Holt Town’s regeneration plans include a lido for Manchester
Holt Town will be built along the canals and rivers near Manchester
Holt Town will be built along the canals and rivers near Manchester
The new 'woodland town' will be built along the canal
The new ‘woodland town’ will be built along the canal

Manchester City Council’s executive will be asked to approve the ambitious Holt Town plans at a committee meeting next week (22 January), following positive feedback public consultation last year, where 10,000 people viewed the plans and 411 formal responses showed strong support.

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Holt Town has huge potential and this is feeding our ambition to create a brand new woodland town – the first of its kind in Manchester. 

“We have an opportunity to deliver a transformative programme of investment and we expect this area to be Manchester’s next urban regeneration exemplar, creating a neighbourhood that meets the needs of our city and our people – with at least 4,500 new homes, including significant affordable housing options. 

“This neigbourhood will represent a people first focus around active travel, green spaces, new play spaces for young people – and a digital first approach that will better connect the community with local services.

“Following consultation, we are beginning to move to the early delivery phase for Holt Town – a new town within the city of Manchester – that will finally bridge the gap between the city centre, Sportcity and the Etihad Campus in east Manchester.”

Read more

Featured image: Supplied

More News

The Nags Head pub in Haughton closed for good

Cheshire

Award-winning pub from the team behind Mackie Mayor and Alty Market announces gutting closure

News

80% of drivers say they regularly see people ‘excessively speeding’ on UK roads

New Match of the Day presenters BBC

News

The new Match of the Day presenter lineup has been confirmed

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches