Little girl's one word verdict as new Alder Hey cinema opens its doors

Courtney Eales
·3-min read
Moana with (L-R) Nancy, Alora, Aliesha, Elise, Ella-May, Mae, Mason, Christina and Josh at the launch of the new, state-of the-art MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool
-Credit: (Image: Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Disney UK)


Alder Hey has made a special announcement today, November 24, as they revealed their MediCinema had opened its doors. It is the first cinema in a standalone paediatric hospital and the first in the North West.

The specially designed cinema, can fit up to 34 people inside and allows the children to attend movie screenings in their beds or wheelchairs, along with family members and nursing team. The patients can enjoy the latest movies while still receiving the care they need.

Today, children were treated to an exclusive screening of Walt Disney's animated musical Moana 2, ahead of the film’s premiere in London’s Leicester Square, this evening.

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Disney has partnered with MediCinema throughout the charity’s 25-year history and has provided significant funding towards the creation of the new cinema. To celebrate the opening of the new facility, children received a special recorded message from the cast ahead of the film starting.

When the film was finished, the patients were given special gift bags and taken back to the wards by the nurses and volunteers. Film screenings in the MediCinema at Alder Hey are free to patients and their families at no cost to the NHS. They will show the latest films to any patient who has been cleared by clinical staff to attend.

Moana with Josh at the launch of the new, state-of the-art MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool
Moana with Josh at the launch of the new, state-of the-art MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool -Credit:Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Disney UK

Following the movie screening, Kate, the mum of six-year-old Elise said: "It was the first time in three weeks that I’ve seen her completely relaxed” and nine-year-old Nancy, who came in her hospital bed said it was "boss".

The specially designed cinema, can fit up to 34 people inside and allows the children to attend movie screenings in their beds or wheelchairs
The specially designed cinema, can fit up to 34 people inside and allows the children to attend movie screenings in their beds or wheelchairs -Credit:Alder Hey

Nathan Askew, Chief Nursing Officer at Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust shared his joy about the opening of the new Alder Hey cinema, he said: "Our new MediCinema is amazing. It will bring joy through the power of the movies to our children, young people and their families, some of whom can be at Alder Hey for long periods.

"Being able to escape their room and have a day out to the cinema with friends and family, whilst still receiving vital clinical care, will mean so much to our children and young people. It will give everyone the chance to enjoy the magic of the latest movies and help reduce the difficulties and challenges that come from being in hospital."

(L-R) Kate, Moraira, Elise and Nathan at the launch of the new, state-of the-art MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool
(L-R) Kate, Moraira, Elise and Nathan at the launch of the new, state-of the-art MediCinema at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool -Credit:Photo by Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Disney UK

The cinema has been fully funded by Alder Hey Children’s Charity and MediCinema. The ongoing running costs of the MediCinema are funded by donations to Alder Hey Children’s Charity.

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