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
News
An iconic vintage train is set to pass through Greater Manchester this summer
Danny Jones
Calling all railway enthusiasts: another historic vintage locomotive is set to visit two Greater Manchester train stations this summer.
Whether you’re a passionate trainspotter or just a nearby resident curious to see what all the fuss is about, the cult favourite retro carriages will pass through the pair of Manc boroughs and surrounding areas early next month.
Despite an adjustment in the initial plans, locals will still be able to witness and board the train at multiple stops along the way in the Stockport (Reddish South station) and Rochdale areas.
So, if you consider yourself a bit of a ‘Francis Bourgeois’ figure, or a general public transport connoisseur, pay attention.
Designed by Sir Kenneth Granger and officially launched back in 1976, the fleet was named as such after the top speed of 125mph – simple as that.
Once again, it’s worth noting that the originally proposed route and stops have now been changed due to issues with Network Rail.
As a result of there currently being no standing approval to use the connection from Paignton to Bury on the East Lancs Railway line, they have been forced to change the start and terminus points.
Writing on the dedicated 125Group website, they say: “We are reviewing our options to start as close as possible to the advertised departure point, and it seems likely that Rochdale will become the start and finish point, with all other previous pick-ups retained.
“For those in the far south west, we are looking to see whether we can offer an Exeter to Paignton return – subject to availability of space. We will add this to the booking site shortly, although we may have to limit numbers sold until we are more certain of booking levels to Bristol and Exeter.”
Two 125s, including ‘The Mancunian Princess’, travelled through the SK region earlier this year.
They have reassured that the journey will still be going ahead and have simply advised those hoping to catch it to keep their eyes peeled on the website and their socials for the latest updates.
Kids’ tickets start from just a tenner, and standard passes for the full tour cost £99, with first-class the class option priced at £149 (there’s also a table for two supplement available for £50).
You can see the full map, find out more information, and grab your seats right HERE.
Bet the internet signal on this relic isn’t far off the current standard either, to be fair…
Temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre reportedly confirmed
Emily Sergeant
The temporary location for the new Number 10 North project has been announced.
You may remember that earlier last month, it was revealed that Andy Burnham had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, and now that he is, more details on this move to Manchester have been revealed.
Number 10 North is expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it’s officially up and running, Government ministers say.
According to BBC News reports, civil servants working for Government departments based in London have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move to the northern base in Manchester, which is said to be being overseen by cabinet minister and ally of Andy Burnham, Louise Haigh.
The temporary location for ‘Number 10 North’ in Manchester city centre has reportedly been confirmed / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
Haigh – who is the first secretary of state – has reportedly been asked, according to the BBC, to have been asked to lead a new Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet (OPMC), which will give her control of key decision-making bodies across Government.
The OPMC will include No 10 and No 10 North, as well as other teams within the Cabinet Office.
It is understood, according to the same BBC reports, that the initial temporary location of No 10 North will be Heron House, just off Albert Square in central Manchester, which is the same building that currently houses offices for the intelligence service GCHQ, and where eyewitnesses have spotted police officers guarding in recent days.
🚨 NEW: No 10 North will temporarily be based at Heron House in central Manchester
Whitehall civil servants have been offered relocation packages to encourage them to move pic.twitter.com/BVyUkNfxRr
The longer-term base for Number 10 North, however, is expected to be at the new Government ‘Digital Campus’, which is currently under construction in the Ancoats and is not due for completion until 2032.
Alongside Whitehall officials who are willing to move to Manchester, it is also likely there will be a significant movement of staff from Burnham’s former mayoral team at the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), the BBC reports.
You can discover more about the plans for Number 10 North here.
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2022 
