Alder Hey’s new MediCinema set for November premiere

Alder Hey’s state-of-the-art new MediCinema is on schedule for its premiere in November.

Bosses have confirmed today that work is well under way for the creation of the special in-hospital cinema at Alder Hey, ready for its opening screening next month.

Construction began in August to refurbish a lecture theatre on the first floor of the city’s much loved children’s hospital to develop the MediCinema, which will help to support and improve the experience of children and young people during their stay.

Lysette Cohen, director of communications for MediCinema, the charity Alder Hey has partnered with to create what will be the only cinema based in a solely paediatric hospital in the whole of the UK, said:

“The interior of the current lecture theatre has been removed which is what takes much of the time, and the room is now being prepared for the new cinema.

“The team are working on various elements of the installation, and the electricians have now moved in to prepare for the cinema.

“Changes are being made to the outside walls as well as the inside to bring lovely bright colours to the front of the MediCinema, which will be visible from the atrium; and the major visible components like the seats, projection and screen will go in towards the end of the build.”

Medicinema - Alder Hey Hospital - Construction

The MediCinema will eventually accommodate 29 regular cinema seats, two specialist reclining chairs and room for up to three hospital beds or four wheelchairs.

The project is a partnership between the MediCinema charity, Alder Hey Children’s Charity and Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust. Its construction and the first year of running costs have already been fully funded, including significant grants from The Julia and Hans Rausing Trust and The Kentown Wizard Foundation alongside The Walt Disney Company UK and Ireland, Skiddle Ltd., and Members of the Institute of Travel and Tourism.

It will show the latest movies for free to transform the hospital experience for thousands of young patients at Alder Hey every year. Ongoing annual running costs will be funded by Alder Hey Children’s Charity through donations made to its MediCinema Appeal.

MediCinema already operates successfully in five major NHS Trusts and Health Boards across the UK, boosting patient and family wellbeing with the magic of film during hospital stays. With a 24-year track record, their cinema-based programmes are shown to improve the emotional, psychological, and physical health of patients, including reducing feelings of isolation, stress, and anxiety while enhancing patient resilience and supporting recovery.

Lysette added:

“For each film screening, the cinema manager will visit the hospital wards to firstly check with the clinical staff who is well enough to go. The cinema manager will then visit each patient’s bedside to tell them about the film showing that day and ask if they and their family members would like to attend.”

Visualisation of the forthcoming MediCinema at Alder Hey Children's Hospital — Visualisation of the forthcoming MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital

Nathan Askew, Chief Nursing, AHP and Experience Officer at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust said:

“We are thrilled that building has started on the cinema for our children and young people.

“It’s so exciting to see this progress come to life, knowing it will bring joy and a sense of normalcy to those who might otherwise miss out on the magic of movies. Being in hospital can be challenging, and having a cinema right here means these children and young people can still enjoy a magical movie experience.

“Seeing this project take shape is inspiring, and it’s amazing to witness how far cinema has come in creating spaces like this. It will make a massive difference to everyone here.”

Thanks to the support of major film studios and distributors, the MediCinema will be able to screen the latest releases for free, from blockbusters to smaller releases, comedy, action and romance.

Asked what the first film to be shown at Alder Hey will be, Lysette remained tight-lipped. “That will be a surprise for the children.”