Creating new homes for GOSH services based in the Frontage Building

Over a number of years, we have been gradually moving clinical services out of the Frontage Building so that later in 2024, it can be deconstructed, creating space for our new Children’s Cancer Centre to be built.

With the Sight and Sound Centre opening in 2021, our sight and hearing loss services moved out of the Frontage Building into this new bespoke, multi-disciplinary centre designed especially for these children’s sensory needs.

Recently, outpatient services previously based in the Frontage Building have now moved to new locations in the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, and also within the Variety Club Building.

We have also been renovating floors of the Southwood Building to create new inpatient spaces and outpatient services for Paediatric Mental Health Services (PAMHS) and our Clinical Research Facility.

PAMHS moved into their new home in January 2024. The space was designed and developed in partnership with clinical teams and patients. Careful attention was paid to the artwork, which is fully integrated into the spaces. A series of workshops with children and young people who are part of the service informed the art commission, which includes integrated pieces such as bedheads, soft wall coverings and bi-fold doors. The aim of the artwork is to make the space feel as much like home as possible, and to be welcoming and calm with elements of joy and surprise found throughout.

PAMHS Matron John Forrester, said: “The move to a new space, after such a long period in the Frontage Building has been challenging but equally rewarding. The patients have fed back that the new unit is much brighter and that they like having their own en-suite bathroom. Staff are enjoying having more space in which to provide care and treatment, as well as their new break room.

“The Frontage holds many memories and of the many patients and families that we have been fortunate enough to support. At the end of a patient’s stay on our ward they have the opportunity to leave their handprint on a special board and these boards have come with us to our new space.”

Our Clinical Research Facility is due to move into their new spaces on Saturday10 February 2024, with patients from Monday 12 February 2024. Deconstruction of the Frontage Building will start later in 2024, after works to disconnect it from the existing estate have completed.

Artwork by Giles Round. Photos by Melanie Issaka