The Princess Royal unveiled the first hospital helipad in the North West of England earlier this week on a visit to Manchester.
Arriving at the Oxford Road Campus of the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT), which serves Manchester and Trafford, Princess Anne officially unveiled the helipad, which allows for quicker transportation of critically ill patients in need of immediate hospital care.
The helipad has been operational since last May and has been used over 70 times since then.
“The helipad has made a tremendous difference to how quickly our trauma teams can respond to emergencies which can be the difference between life and death,” said the Chairman of the MFT, in a statement on its official website. She also thanked Princess Anne for officially opening it and for visiting the hospital’s maternity services.
“Our maternity services continue to provide excellence care to mothers across the city of Manchester, and I’m particularly delighted that The Princess Royal was able to spend time today talking to a number of staff about the wonderful care they provide.”
Following the engagement at the helipad, Princess Anne paid a visit to the Antenatal Clinic and Delivery Suite at Saint Mary’s Hospital and met with the medical personnel there, as well as families and newborns who have received treatment, to discuss the research conducted there and to learn more about bereavement services and support offered to families.
“When you work in a service as busy as the one at Saint Mary’s, it can be tricky to take a step back and appreciate what great work you’re doing. Having the Princess Royal visit today enabled staff to talk about their work and allowed them a much-deserved moment in the spotlight,” said Birte Harlev-Lam, the Executive Director of the Royal College of Midwives.
“We are incredibly grateful to have Her Royal Highness as our Patron, and for the real interest and understanding she shows in the work of midwives, maternity support workers and the wider maternity team, who were able to showcase the wonderful work they are doing.”
The Antenatal Clinic and Delivery Suite won the Royal College of Midwives Midwifery Service of the Year Award last year. The Delivery Suite delivers 16,500 babies every year and employs over 800 midwives.
