MP visits Wythenshawe and Altrincham Hospitals to see urgent care and dermatology innovation in action

Connor Rand ,  Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West, visited Wythenshawe Hospital and Altrincham General Hospital to see first-hand how Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) is delivering innovative care for local communities.

Mr Rand was welcomed by senior leaders from MFT, including Stephen Dickson, Chief Executive Officer of Wythenshawe, Trafford, Withington and Altrincham Hospitals, and Darren Banks, Deputy Chief Executive Officer. The visit included a tour of the Urgent and Emergency Care Division at Wythenshawe Hospital, followed by a visit to the pioneering dermatology service at Altrincham General Hospital.

At Wythenshawe Hospital, Mr Rand saw the Same Day Emergency Care (SDEC) unit, which enables patients to be rapidly assessed, diagnosed, and treated on the same day—helping to reduce waiting times  and ease pressure on the Emergency Department. The SDEC service, which operates seven days a week, has seen a steady increase in patients since opening in 2022 and is now a vital part of the hospital’s urgent care pathway.

The MP also visited the Paediatric Emergency Department, which provides specialist care for children up to age 15, and the main Emergency Department, where he met staff dedicated to delivering high-quality, timely care for all patients.

At Altrincham General Hospital, Mr Rand learned about MFT’s innovative ‘one-stop’ dermatology clinic, which allows patients with suspected skin cancer to be seen, diagnosed, and treated in a single visit. The Trust is also piloting an Artificial Intelligence (AI) pathway in partnership with Skin Analytics, supporting faster assessment and improved outcomes for patients referred with urgent skin cancer concerns. Since launching in 2024, the AI pilot has helped over 4,600 patients and is now being extended across Greater Manchester.

Stephen Dickson, Chief Executive Officer of Wythenshawe, Trafford, Withington and Altrincham Hospitals, said:

“We were pleased to welcome Connor Rand MP and showcase the dedication and innovation of our teams. Our focus remains on delivering the best possible care for our community, and we are proud of the progress made in urgent care and dermatology services.”

Mr Connor Rand, Labour MP for Altrincham and Sale West said: 

“I was very pleased to visit Altrincham and Wythenshawe Hospitals and it was great to have the opportunity to meet with staff and see the ways that they aim to deliver the best possible care for residents in Trafford. Under this government, NHS waiting lists at our local trust have fallen for 10 months in a row and I will continue to make the case for greater investment in health services locally.”