The vision for the Children's Cancer Centre

With a new entrance, school space, theatres, leading edge imaging equipment, critical care unit, digitally advanced cancer inpatient wards, a cancer day care centre and significant outside space, the Children’s Cancer Centre will benefit every child, young person and family who come to GOSH.

The Children’s Cancer Centre will be a step change for our cancer services. Currently, the cancer wards and day care services are spread across different buildings in the older parts of the GOSH estate, meaning it can take up to 20 minutes to get between them. Some of the buildings are over 30 years old, with some of the hospital’s most seriously ill patients undergoing chemotherapy being treated in Safari Ward in the 1930’s Southwood Building.

The new Children’s Cancer Centre will bring together the different services needed for specialist cancer care, allowing teams to work more closely together. This will improve the quality of our care, reduce risk and allow rapid access in emergencies. These services will also support other specialities from across GOSH, meaning everyone will benefit.

With the very latest imaging equipment, including the only dedicated PET-CT scanner for children in the UK and a specialised chemotherapy pharmacy, we will be keeping pace with world leading practice and enabling more research to pioneer new treatments and cures for some of the most rare and complex childhood diseases.

This new facility will transform the environment we are able to offer. With state-of-the-art single, en-suite rooms which have specialist ventilation and space for parents and carers to stay, children will feel at ease and have room to play and do normal activities. The new centre will also facilitate research and increase our capacity to see and treat patients from across the UK and beyond.

The designs for the centre reflect the preferences of the children and young people who have been treated at GOSH; they are at the very heart of all the designs. This includes independence, choice and control, privacy, a home-from-home environment, interactive art and technology, accessible green spaces and nature, and social spaces.

Alongside the clinical services, the new building gives us the opportunity to create a new entrance for the hospital, as well as a new school for all children who come to GOSH. Based on the ground floor, the school will be highly visible, ensuring that children and parents know that education will be part of everyday life while they stay at hospital. The school includes a performance space and dedicated areas for children according to their age and key stage. There are also treatment rooms so instead of having to return to their wards, children can receive treatment easily while at school.

Outside space is a key part of the design. An accessible roof terrace will mean children and their families can play and relax whilst enjoying some time outdoors. There are also plans for an Enchanted Forest area with immersive activities to encourage imagination, play and exploration, and a Secret Garden for rest and contemplation. Balconies will also provide much-needed breakout space for staff and families.

Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) has launched its Build it. Beat it. appeal to raise money to help build the Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH, to help drive transformation in children’s cancer care and save more lives.

Find out more about the Build it. Beat it. GOSH charity appeal.