A multi-million pound expansion project set to chance the face of The Royal Oldham Hospital has been given the green light.
It has finally been confirmed today that The Northern Care Alliance NHS Group has received business case approval which will allow them to demolish existing facilities and deliver a £28 million four-storey extension to the main hospital site building in its place.
Approval of the plans means the demolition of existing facilities will make way for two new 24-bed general surgery wards.
The two new surgery wards will also be joined by the creation of a new emergency theatre within the current theatres unit, which will allow the hospital to operate as “a surgical hub” site for high risk and emergency general and colorectal surgery for the north east of Greater Manchester.
The sickest patients from across the region will therefore have access to treatment in a new facility.
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Speaking on the plans having been given the green light, David Jago – Chief Officer at The Royal Oldham Hospital – said: “The new surgical hub will provide much needed expertise to the people of the north east of Greater Manchester.
“It will [also] enable other developments at The Royal Oldham, which will advance our ambitions to provide care and employment to the people of Oldham and beyond.”
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Northern Care Alliance / Day Architectural
The new expansion project – which has been made possible following full business case approval for Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership’s Healthier Together scheme – comes after the current hospital building was recently deemed “not fit for purpose for the 21st century” by Chief Operating Officer at the Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group, Mike Barber.
Planning permission for the extension has already been granted, with a design that went through a public consultation in November 2019.
Works are expected to start within the next few months.
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Raj Jain – Chief Executive at Northern Care Alliance – added: “It is great to see The Royal Oldham Hospital receiving this well-deserved investment to improve the hospital’s infrastructure, and I would like to thank all of those staff who have been involved in the plans and the design so far as part of the planning process.
“I am really looking forward to seeing the development take shape and witnessing the difference it will make to patients, staff and the public in the surrounding area.”
The new building is set to be completed, open and ready for new patients by Spring 2023.
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Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Emily Sergeant -
19th February 2021 
