Eleanor sweeps board with elephant design

Eleanor Noden with her winning design

A BUDDING young artist from Shaw has designed a mascot to herald sweeping changes to children’s hospital services.

Eleanor Noden penned the winning design to mark the opening on June 3 of new children’s services at North Manchester General Hospital.

The 12-year-old won a competition set by Pennine Acute Hospital Trust, which also runs the Royal Oldham Hospital.

Her elephant design will be posted on buses and vans, and on 450,000 postcards which will be distributed across Greater Manchester.

Eleanor said: “I’ve always been into art but it hasn’t sunk in yet that one of my pictures is going to be used to publicise the new children’s services.

“It’s going to be strange seeing the design based on my drawing on buses and vans around Manchester but I think it is going to be fantastic.”

Health bosses say the move will draw child health experts and outstanding facilities together at the hospital for the benefit of children across the region.

Dr Andrew Bradley, said: “We will be providing a first-class, 21st century service for children, delivered in the heart of the community.

“Not only will this be a consultant delivered service, there will be senior paediatric staff on the shop floor, with dedicated paediatric nurses and strong links with community nursing teams and GPs. “

A team of 12 paediatric consultants will work with the support of junior staff at the new children’s unit, and the new children’s accident-and-emergency ward will be staffed by doctors and nurses specially trained in the care of children.