LITTLE Mia Menzies packed her hospital bag... and made a piece of medical history.

The two-year-old walked out of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital at Pendlebury as the last patient to ever be treated at the unit.

Mia was being moved from the 136-year-old hospital to the state-of-the-art facilities of the new Royal Manchester Children's Hospital on Oxford Road.

Pendlebury was finally closed yesterday with the eight patients from the two remaining open wards transferred by ambulance.

The patients left behind the classic Nightingale wards with vaulted ceilings and brightly painted walls for the ultra modern wards at the new hospital.

Mia's mum Claire Hilton, 25, from Bolton, said: "Mia's too young to understand she's the last patient. But she's making a little bit of history and it's a privilege.

"The staff are fantastic. She was admitted two weeks ago with a bad cough that just won't go away.

"They've just changed her medicine, so she will be in the new hospital for another few weeks. I'm looking forward to seeing it, although obviously you never want your child in hospital."

Pendlebury was a throw back to the Victorian era of health care and the buildings were no longer considered fit for purpose.

But staff said there were mixed emotions as the wards were empty for the first time since 1873.

Mixed emotions

Sister Eileen Evans, ward manager, said: "There are mixed emotions today. It's very sad, but at the same time the new facilities are marvellous.

"I've worked here since 1983 and there have been many memories, good and bad.

"We've all visited the new hospital and its fabulous. The children and parents deserve that standard."

In total 150 sick children have been transported across Manchester from Pendlebury, and sister hospital Booth Hall, to the new hospital in the last month.

Each department was moved separately, with children checked by specialist doctors before leaving the wards and when they arrived.

A doctor and nurse travelled in each ambulance with the critically ill.

A planning application has been submitted to build 300 homes at the Pendlebury site but it is hoped that the Victorian buildings will be preserved.
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