Some of the most vulnerable refugees to have fled the conflict in Ukraine are now receiving lifesaving cancer care at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (RMCH).
It comes after 21 Ukrainian children were evacuated to England at the weekend.
Following their arrival in the country on Sunday night, each of the children have now all received health assessments by NHS staff and have been triaged to seven hospitals throughout the UK to get the clinical support to meet their specific needs – and one of those hospitals is the specialist children’s site on Oxford Road.
Following an urgent plea from Polish officials, a team of NHS doctors, nurses, and technicians travelled to Poland at the weekend to provide medical support to the children on their journey out of the war-torn region.
“We feel privileged to be able to care for these children and offer support to their families at such a difficult time,” said Dr Rachael Barber, medical director of the RMCH.
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“There has been a determination among our staff to try to help in any way we can.
21 Ukrainian children will receive lifesaving cancer treatment through the NHS in England.
This is part of the government’s wider humanitarian response to the Ukraine conflict with more than 650,000 medical items already delivered. #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦
— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) March 13, 2022
“We have supported the UK’s national equipment and medical supplies assistance to Ukraine, and we will now be using our clinical expertise to ensure that these children get the care they need.”
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NHS Chief Executive Amanda Pritchard added: “Today is a lifeline for children in the most vulnerable circumstances imaginable.
“Anyone who has experienced cancer knows it is an ordeal for friends and relatives too, so I’m proud that not only have NHS staff been able to put their world-class skill to work to save the lives of these young people, but that in doing so, my colleagues in the health service are providing hope to our new patients’ families.”
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21 Ukrainian children were evacuated to England at the weekend for lifesaving cancer care / Credit: DEC (via Twitter)
“These brave children have overcome unimaginable adversity to make it to England after being forced out of their home country by the Russian invasion,” added Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
“I thank the doctors, nurses and technicians who travelled to Poland to evacuate them, and the Polish government for their support as these children are now in the safest of hands with NHS staff providing world-class cancer treatment, doing everything they can to support them over the coming days and weeks.”
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and will remain at the forefront of the humanitarian response,” he concluded.
Featured Image – RMCH
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Greater Manchester’s heritage railway issues statement as it’s forced to cancel services this week
Emily Sergeant
Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway has been forced to cancel its services this weekend due to the heatwave.
In case you hadn’t heard, Amber Extreme Heat warnings and heat-health alerts have been issued by the Met Office and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) through to Thursday this week – with temperatures widely exceeding 35°C nationwide, and in some areas – particularly on the south coast – potentially even reaching 38°C.
Heatwave conditions in the UK are met when a location records a period of at least three consecutive days with temperature values meeting or exceeding the heatwave temperature threshold for that location.
It does seem, however, that northern parts of the country – especially the North West – are missing most of the extremely hot conditions.
Current forecasts indicate that the peak temperatures for Greater Manchester this week will be tomorrow and Thursday, with highs of 33°C in the city centre.
Despite not reaching the heights of the south, East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has still had to act in advance and has taken the decision to cancel its scheduled services for the next two days as the forecast is ‘too severe’.
Taking to social media to share its decision today, ELR wrote: “Due to the current weather warning for the UK, the decision has been taken to cancel all services on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th June 2026, including the afternoon tea and mid-week luncheon dining experiences.
“The welfare of both staff and customers is paramount to the ELR, and we believe that the risk in the extreme heat that has been forecast is too severe to allow for the running of our ordinary services.”
As things stand, ELR says its current plan is to have services resume with the evening dining train on Friday 26 June, but this will still be ‘subject to review’, and further updates on this will be issued later in the week.
Visitors who have already pre-booked services over the two cancelled days will be contacted via email to have their options explained to them.
“We apologise for any inconvenience,” ELR closed out its statement.
Featured Image – ELR
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TfGM issues safety warning and advice for travelling on public transport during extreme heat wave – including ‘get off’
Daisy Jackson
Transport for Greater Manchester has urged passengers to ‘stay safe’ when travelling as the city braces for an extreme heatwave this week.
As well as issuing some safety advice, TfGM has also warning that delays and disruption are possible across the network as temperatures climb as high as 36ºC on Wednesday and Thursday this week.
Customers are being advised to carry water with them when travelling, and to wear light clothing.
Also included in the travel advice is to ‘get off’ public transport at the next stop if you feel unwell, to seek fresh air.
It’s also advised to allow more time for your journey and to check the latest information and advice before setting off.
And most importantly, passengers are asked to look out for each other, especially those who are vulnerable.
The Bee Network may experience disruption later this week as the overhead lines that power the trams and trains are often adversely affected by high temperatures.
TfGM’s Customer and Growth Director, Fran Wilkinson, said: “Very high temperatures are forecast this week that can affect both people and the transport network.
“We will have staff out to help those who need it, and I would encourage customers to take a few simple steps to stay safe and comfortable while travelling, such as by carrying water, travelling at cooler times of the day and looking out for others.
“Due to the heat, there may be some disruption to Bee Network or local train services and I would encourage people to check for the latest information and advice before making their journey.”
TfGM advice for travelling in heatwave
Carry water and drink plenty of fluids
Avoid travelling during the hottest part of the day where possible
Wear light clothing and stay in the shade
If you feel unwell while travelling, get off at the next stop and seek fresh air
Plan your journey, check for the latest information and advice before setting off and allow extra time to make your journey
Look out for other passengers who may need help, especially those who are more vulnerable
Bee Network staff will be out across the network to help passengers, who can get the latest travel information and advice by checking the website or app.
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2022 
