Project to build world-leading new Children’s Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital breaks ground

Construction is beginning on a new Children's Cancer Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), which will help to transform children’s cancer care and save more lives.

Two years ago, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) launched its £300m Build it. Beat it. campaign – the most ambitious fundraising appeal in its history - to help build the world-leading new facility, which will be designed with the needs of children and families at its very heart and will help to beat childhood cancer.

On Tuesday, the project reached a pivotal moment, with the start of construction on the Great Ormond Street site being marked with the ceremonial ‘first dig’ by hospital CEO Mat Shaw and key GOSH Charity supporters, who used special shovels hand-painted by children treated at GOSH.

The ‘breaking ground’ event saw Mat joined on stage for the key milestone by GOSH Charity chief executive Louise Parkes, health minister Ashley Dalton and principal donor John Grayken, alongside other established GOSH Charity supporters, including representatives from long-time partners Premier Inn and Omaze.

Addressing the crowd at the event, Louise said: “When we launched our Build it. Beat it. campaign, it felt like a huge mountain to climb, but what more compelling cause could we have than a brand-new Children's Cancer Centre here at Great Ormond Street - hugely ambitious but also, as you've heard, so needed and so essential.

“Over the last few years, it has been utterly inspiring to see the UK and international communities unite around our common goal to build the world-leading Children's Cancer Centre and help beat childhood cancer.”

After four months of work to deconstruct the existing building, building contractor Sisk will now start the construction of the Children’s Cancer Centre, beginning by digging the basement floors as part of the sub-structure works. The new facility is forecast to be completed in 2028.

With a 20% increase in capacity, the Children's Cancer Centre will feature new inpatient wards, intensive care units, operating theatres and a cancer day care centre where children can undergo chemotherapy. It will also feature a new hospital school and open spaces, including a roof garden.

Mat said: “The Children’s Cancer Centre will make a difference to every child who comes to GOSH, and particularly, it will help us advance how we care and treat children who have rare and complex cancers. This new facility will help us realise our ambitions so we can match the amazing work of our clinicians with buildings and infrastructure that makes it easy for them to be their best.”

Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, said: "The hospital is a symbol of what we can achieve when we combine the excellence of our NHS people, innovative technologies, ground-breaking treatment and world-class research.

“As someone living with cancer myself, I know how terrifying a diagnosis can be - and when it happens to our children, that's unimaginable. These families deserve a government that's backing them every step of the way, which is why we've relaunched the Children and Young People Cancer Taskforce and will ensure children’s cancer is at the forefront of our Plan for Change."

Long-time GOSH Charity supporter Tim Peake also attended the event, meeting hospital staff who have been instrumental in devising the overall design of the new facility, patient families and GOSH Charity donors, whose support has been invaluable for the overall Build it. Beat it. appeal.

He said: “It is a real privilege to be attending Breaking Ground, which is a huge milestone in the construction of the new Children's Cancer Centre.

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen some of the incredible things we can achieve when science, innovation and teamwork come together. This new cancer centre will do just that, combining world-class expertise under one roof to give more children the chance of a brighter future. I hope this fantastic initiative gets the support it deserves.”

Actor Jason Isaacs added: “Through Peter Pan initially, and then Harry Potter, I’ve been lucky enough to be connected with Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the genuinely magical things that happen there, for over 20 years, so it's brilliant to be here today to see its Build it. Beat it appeal move into this exciting new chapter. This world-leading centre will help transform the lives of seriously ill children and I cannot wait to see its plans take shape.”

To find out more or to donate, visit gosh.org/cancer

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About Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity)

Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity (GOSH Charity) stops at nothing to help give seriously ill children childhoods that are fuller, funner and longer. For the hundreds of children from all over the UK who are treated by Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) every day, for children with rare or complex illnesses everywhere, for this generation and all those to come.

GOSH has been transforming the lives of seriously ill children since opening its doors in 1852 and has always depended on charitable support. GOSH Charity funds groundbreaking research into children’s health, cutting-edge medical equipment, child-centred medical facilities and the support services children and families going through the toughest journey of their lives urgently need.  But there is so much more we need to do.

Together with our supporters, we can give seriously ill children the best chance, and the best childhoods, possible. Because we believe no childhood should be lost to serious illness.

Join us, visit gosh.org today.