13:00, 11 May 2021
Words by Smiley Team, Staff Writer, London
A pioneering initiative between Premier League club Manchester City, a university and the prison service has seen the club’s football shirts turned into children’s hospital gowns.
The project began after the club first held discussions with Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital last year to discover ways to improve hospital visits and stays for children.
Students and academics at Manchester Fashion Institute, part of Manchester Metropolitan University, then got involved and worked alongside hospital staff and the families of some of the hospital’s young patients to research, develop and deliver the new designs.
Prototype gown samples were developed and tested by the textile specialists from the Prison Industries Team at Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, who then manufactured the gowns for the project which have now been donated for use within the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.
[Read more: Will these pods solve homelessness?]
The gowns are easy to use, more comfortable for patients and meet clinical standards for use in a hospital, and the project aims to help, support and improve the experience for children undergoing treatment and care at the hospital.
Danny Wilson, managing director at Manchester City Operations said: “Manchester City are delighted to be part of this collaborative new pilot project which will provide children at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital the option to wear their City blue colours whilst in hospital.
“If we can make even a small difference to their experience through the donation of these gowns, we’ll be extremely proud and I’d like to thank the hospital, Manchester Fashion Institute at MMU and HMPPS, as well as our partner PUMA, for their cooperation, effort and work over the last year to turn this idea into a reality.”
Doctors and patients at the hospital have also praised the initiative.
Cath Doherty, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital said: “Surgery can be a tough time for a young patient so anything that can help put their mind at ease is welcomed.
“We care for lots of young children and teenagers who are Manchester City fans so we’re sure they’ll enjoy wearing the shirts. We can’t wait to see their faces when we show them what they can wear for theatre.”
Teenager Declan McEntee is a Manchester City supporter and has had numerous surgeries at the hospital. He is also an avid fundraiser for Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity. He added: “City have always been big supporters of the charity and they’ve made a big difference to the hospital over the years.
“Hospital gowns are never the most comfortable or fashionable. These City gowns will give patients one less thing to worry about during times of stress when they may be feeling very daunted.”
For more information see the RMCH Charity website, or follow them on Twitter.
