Children’s Cancer Centre: main contractor on board

30 Jan 2025, 8 a.m.

The contract for the main works to develop our new Children’s Cancer Centre has been awarded to John Sisk and Son (Sisk).

Graphic of proposed new main entrance at Great Ormond Street Hospital

The Children's Cancer Centre includes a new entrance for the whole hospital.

Patients, families, and visitors to the hospital will see hoardings and building work taking place in Great Ormond Street over the next few years as the facility takes shape.

The development is being supported by GOSH Charity who are in the midst of the biggest and most ambitious fundraising appeal in their history. The "Build it. Beat it." appeal is aiming to raise £300m to help build the CCC, deliver transformation in cancer care, advance research, and save lives.

Mat Shaw, Chief Executive of GOSH said: “I am delighted that we are now in contract with Sisk and building work on our fantastic new Children’s Cancer Centre and main entrance is underway. Reflecting our ambition to put the child first and always, the CCC will enable our staff to be their best, to research and innovate. It will also enable children to play, learn and be with their families even while at hospital.”

A picture showing Otto and his dad Tom by the Children's Cancer Centre hoardings.

Otto and his Dad by the hoardings where the Children's Cancer Centre is being developed

Tom, whose son Otto, was treated for medulloblastoma at GOSH said:

“GOSH has such a brilliant network of people who are always one step ahead; but they are only as good as the facilities around them. Cancer medicine has advanced so much, and there is an urgent need for more modern facilities to help treat the child, not just the cancer.

“The new CCC will have a very real impact on the quality of care that can be delivered and it is so exciting that the next step in delivering the CCC is happening.”

Ger Hayes, Managing Director, Sisk said: “It’s an incredible honour to be entrusted with building the new Children’s Cancer Centre at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital. As a family business the delivery of the new centre of excellence treatment centre aligns with our company values as this facility shall give seriously ill children the best chance and childhood possible while undergoing treatment. Our team takes immense pride in creating lasting legacies within the communities we serve and we are fully motivated to deliver a best-in-class cancer centre for GOSH and the families it supports.”

Limiting construction impacts

GOSH and Sisk are working hard to limit the impacts of the development on the local community and families who are coming to the hospital. The first major works will involve deconstructing the frontage building. Sisk will use a range of different methods to limit dust, noise and vibrations. This includes wrapping the frontage building in sheeting and carefully dismantling it section by section, with waste materials contained before being removed from the site to be recycled or reused.

More about the Children's Cancer Centre

Our cancer services will move out of some of our oldest buildings and be located together, across four floors, in a larger cohesive centre helping clinicians to deliver the best treatment, and to develop new ways to treat cancer, which are more effective and have fewer side effects, in a child-focused environment.

We are also taking the opportunity to improve other services that are essential to the delivery of the cancer care pathway and other specialities. With a new entrance, reception area and outside spaces, a new larger hospital school and theatre, imaging and critical care services, the centre will benefit every child who comes to GOSH.

Find out more on the GOSH Charity website about how you can get involved and support the CCC.

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