Ana & Nemanja Vidic open new Delivery Suite
"We are proud of our maternity services and this new facility is already making the whole experience of having a baby at UHSM more welcoming and enjoyable. Nemanja and Ana Vidic have chosen our hospital because they trust us again to bring their new son into the world safely, and complete a family hat-trick. And their visit reinforces the importance they place on us as a centre of excellence, as do hundreds of other new parents across south Manchester."
Julian Hartley
Chief Executive
Manchester United captain Nemanja Vidic and his wife Ana have officially opened UHSM's newly-refurbished Delivery Suite. The couple are expecting their third child next month and, once again, have chosen the Hospital's maternity unit to ensure the safe delivery of their baby.
"The staff have looked after us brilliantly twice before and we know we are in safe hands. We were delighted to be asked to make the official opening. This is our little way of saying thank you," explained the Serbian International, who is recovering from knee surgery.
Ana said: "The doctors and nurses are wonderful and make us feel very comfortable. I was honoured to be asked here to this event but I was a little nervous because I have never done anything like this before. My husband is usually the one that people want to speak to – but I guess I am the main person this time."
Video courtesy of Manchester Evening News
The couple were met by UHSM's Chief Executive Julian Hartley and Mrs Anjali Ahluwalia, Clinical Director of the Unit. After unveiling a plaque they chatted to staff over tea and sandwiches, and were given a guided tour of the Delivery Suite which they expect to be in need of before too long.
A few of the new dads on the Unit were also keen to meet the star. United fan Ferman Ahmed, 30, and his partner Hawreen Rahman, 25, from Didsbury, introduced two-day old son Ahmed to their hero. Ferman said: "I never thought I’d see Vidic here so it’s extra special. It was a nice surprise. Ahmed is our first child and the birth at UHSM was a very good experience – he’s beautiful and going to have a good future."
The new facilities are part of a £20million refurbishment programme to upgrade maternity services which is expected to be completed in the next 18 months. The Suite has undergone extensive changes and now boasts 10 delivery beds of which three are designated high dependency if needed. The rooms are bigger, the décor more welcoming and the feedback from patients as been very positive.