Mark Cubbon, Trust Chief Executive for Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City council, said:
“This is fantastic news for all the patients who rely on North Manchester General Hospital and all the dedicated staff who work there. We wholeheartedly welcome the Government’s certainty and commitment around the future of North Manchester General Hospital and its plans for a full rebuild.
“The Secretary of State has suggested that the start date could be as early as 2027/28. Everyone involved has worked so hard already to progress the enabling works on site, meaning that we are virtually ‘shovel ready’.
“North Manchester residents face some of the biggest health challenges in the country and now they will get the world-class hospital which they deserve. However, this scheme is bigger than just a hospital, it is an exciting plan for how we develop civic-led healthcare regeneration.
“The green light today is a massive boost for the North Manchester Strategy, the largest urban redevelopment programme in the North of England. Working together with our communities, we will ensure that the new North Manchester General Hospital does not just provide excellent healthcare but also improves the health and quality of life for the communities which it serves.
“Manchester will always fight for its local communities and even with the clarity around this timescale, there can be no doubt about the urgency and how this redevelopment will save lives, tackle health inequalities, drive regeneration for the whole area, and save money. This rebuild is the lynchpin of that vision, and we are ready now to make it a reality.”