GOSH statement on the sentencing of a former member of staff 24.05.21

24 May 2021, 12:10 p.m.

A spokesperson for Great Ormond Street Hospital said:

"The hearings last week have shown the devastating impact of these terrible crimes and our thoughts remain with the brave victims and their families whose stories have been shared in court.

"The sentence passed today speaks to the dreadful nature of the offences, which have led to so much suffering for so many people.

“While we have heard in court that Paul Farrell did not target children at GOSH, his association with our hospital is distressing for the hospital community. We are deeply sorry that he was able to exploit his position and use our hospital to commit some of his crimes.

“Our safeguarding practices will remain rigorous and under regular review and we are actively considering whether anything more can be done to prevent crimes like this.

“Although sentence has been passed, we are keeping open the helpline we have set up with the NSPCC for anyone who has concerns relating to the case, on 0800 101 996 or through the email help@nspcc.org.uk.

You can also find our previous statement on the case published on 12 March 2021.

Joint GOSH and UCLH service named as a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children

After a detailed review process across the UK, the Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission has announced that our joint GOSH/UCLH service has been designated as a Centre of Excellence.

New treatment for brain tumour approved after over 20 years of research

The first-ever targeted treatment for brain tumours in children has been approved for NHS patients, following decades of research by a Great Ormond Street consultant.

Kidney swap for GOSH patient who’s spent over 3,600 hours on dialysis

A five-year-old patient, who has spent almost 10% of her childhood on dialysis, has successfully had a transplant thanks to a kidney-swap scheme.

New cheek swab test helping to monitor children with rare heart condition

A cheap and simple test, being developed with funding from the British Heart Foundation (BHF), will allow quick and safe monitoring in children with arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies (ACM).