Manchester's first fully accessible in-hospital cinema, MediCinema, officially opened this week at Manchester Royal Infirmary, offering young patients a vital escape from long hospital stays. The 50-seat facility, the first of its kind in the city, welcomed children and families from Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for a special screening of Minions & Monsters ahead of its UK release.
£1.1 Million Fundraising Appeal Backed by Community
The cinema was created through a £1.1 million fundraising appeal supported by the Manchester Evening News, schools, community groups, and charities across the region. The appeal was launched by Rachael Flintoff and her husband, former cricketer Freddie Flintoff. Rachael Flintoff said the Manchester Evening News' support was "invaluable" in helping the project reach its goal, adding: "It will make such a difference to patients and families going through difficult times in hospital."
Young Patients Share Their Experiences
Elliot Martin, 13, from Bury, has been in hospital for 18 days after being diagnosed with craniopharyngioma, a rare non-cancerous brain tumour. Sitting alongside his parents Deborah and Simon on opening day, he said: "I didn't just enjoy it. I absolutely loved it." Elliot noted the cinema would help patients who "won't be able to have any family round or won't be able to go outside," calling it "really exciting." Due to last-minute treatment, he missed the screening but told his parents he feels "very lucky."
His mother Deborah said: "Elliot has been in hospital for over two weeks and it is really hard for him to be away from home... Today has brought a huge smile to his face and brightened up his day."
Rose Mirtorabi, 12, from Cheadle Hulme, has spent long periods in hospital over six years due to complex gastrointestinal problems, including duodenal and oesophageal ulcers. She said: "It means a lot because hospital gets really boring. Instead of annoying the nurses I can come here instead and it's just very calming." Rose thanked everyone who helped fundraise for the appeal.
Designed for Accessibility and Therapeutic Benefit
The MediCinema is designed to give patients a shared cinematic experience without leaving hospital grounds, with space for wheelchairs, beds, and medical equipment so patients can attend safely alongside clinical care. It is supported by dedicated MediCinema nurses and trained volunteers and will host more than 260 screenings a year. Organisers say the facility is built on principles of "therapeutic cinema," with research showing film experiences can reduce anxiety, ease stress, and improve emotional wellbeing during treatment.
Hospital Leaders Praise Landmark Opening
Kimberley Salmon-Jamieson, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nursing Officer at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Hospital stays can be incredibly challenging for patients and their loved ones. This wonderful new space offers the opportunity to spend time together away from the ward environment, creating positive memories and helping to support emotional wellbeing throughout treatment and recovery."
David Walliker, Executive Chief Officer, described the opening as a "landmark moment" for the trust. MediCinema CEO Colin Lawrence said the cinema would provide "moments of joy, connection and escapism when they are needed most." The cinema will provide thousands of free screenings each year for patients and families across the Oxford Road Campus hospitals.
