Our proposals for a new cancer facility

The bespoke clinical building will be dedicated to caring for children and young people from across the UK with rare and difficult-to-treat cancers.

Currently, our cancer wards and day care services are in different buildings in the older parts of the GOSH estate. Some of the buildings are over 30 years old, and patients undergoing chemotherapy are treated in Safari Ward in the 1930’s Southwood Building.

Our new centre will include cancer wards, cancer day care, new theatres and intensive care units meaning the specialist teams needed for our patients can all work more closely together. The building will also house new imaging equipment and a specialised chemotherapy pharmacy will also be created to ensure we keep pace with world leading cancer care practice.

This new facility will mark a step change in 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 have been created with children and young people at the very heart reflecting what patients tell us they would like. This includes independence, choice and control, privacy, a home-from-home environment, interactive art and technology, nature to be accessible, and social spaces.

Alongside the clinical services, the new building gives us the opportunity to create a new entrance for the hospital and to create 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 new building. An accessible roof terrace will mean children and their families can play and relax. 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 to play and rest.

In May 2022 we submitted a planning application to the London Borough of Camden (LBC) for the project. In October 2022, we responded to the comments made through the LBC consultation on the plans and a second phase of consultation began. When this is complete, LBC will hold a planning committee to consider whether the application should be approved. The application can be viewed on the London Borough of Camden's planning website.

If the application is approved, the deconstruction and construction programme will take around three years to complete.

You can read about our proposals and how we have improved our estate on our building programme pages. You can also contact the redevelopment team by email: ccc@gosh.nhs.uk.