A Whole New Way
Welcome to your newsletter from the
Cambridge Children's Hospital project
Welcome to our Cambridge Children's Hospital newsletter
An update from Denise Williams, Clinical Lead for our Hospital School and retired paediatric oncologist
An update from Denise Williams, Clinical Lead for our Hospital School and retired paediatric oncologist
Hello,
I remember arriving at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in 1989 and being shown around by Dr Barnes, one of the paediatricians. He told me all about the proposed children’s hospital and pointed to the site it was going to be built on - not quite where it is today. Since then, I have been involved in two major attempts to get a children’s hospital built, but, frustratingly, neither were a success. It has been incredible to see the diggers on site over the last few months and the pre-construction works, including the archaeological dig and the new access roads, now complete.
The reasons for building Cambridge Children’s Hospital are stronger than ever. The East of England is the only region without a specialist children’s hospital and delivery of care in the current space at Addenbrooke’s Hospital is unsustainable. Those reasons, together with our vision of integrating mental and physical healthcare under one roof, alongside research, makes the case for this project even more compelling. Additionally, we are committed to working with healthcare providers around the region to keep care for children close to home, where possible.
As a paediatric oncologist I really understand the importance of treating children and young people holistically. This is why I’m passionate about hospital school – a chance to make an abnormal situation as normal as possible. It’s something young people feel strongly about, too, and it's been great to work with members of our youth forums on shaping the future of education for children in hospital.
We are now working to develop our Business Case further and to start the detailed preparation process for appointing a contractor to build the region's first specialist hospital.
I am excited for the next steps of this incredible project.
Best wishes
Denise
Our top story
Children, young people, and staff visit Cambridge Children's site
The children loved putting on hard hats and high vis jackets
The children loved putting on hard hats and high vis jackets
Inviting children, young people, parents and staff to the Cambridge Children's Hospital site felt like a real milestone. In April, younger children and members of our youth forum came to see the diggers and watch the archaeologists in action, before enjoying some activities with the team from Cambridge Archaeological Unit.
A snapshot of the site visit enjoyed by children and young people
A snapshot of the site visit enjoyed by children and young people
In May, dozens of NHS staff braved the chilly weather to see where their new place of work will be built, just opposite the Rosie Maternity Hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Members of the project team were on hand to help explain what will go where and answer questions. There was even time to take some selfies with the diggers! You can read more here.
The main construction of the 35,000 sq m hospital, which includes a 5000 sq m research institute, starts in 2025 with the building expected to open in late 2028.
The Whole Community
Supporting the whole family
Our Youth and Young Adult Forums have spent time thinking about how patients and their families can be supported in the new hospital. Joined by two family therapists, who are leading on this work, the young people had many ideas, including the importance of age-appropriate communication, particularly when siblings are in the room.
We are now inviting more young people to join the Youth Forum (Year 10-13) or the Young Adult Forum (age 19-25) in September. If you, or someone you know, may be interested, you can find the forms here.
"Working with these young people has brought enormous value to the Cambridge Children's Hospital project and I look forward to building on this over the coming months. We're excited to welcome new young people to our groups."
Sophia explains what it's like to be in the Cambridge Children's Youth Forum
Sophia explains what it's like to be in the Cambridge Children's Youth Forum
Luke interviews project team
Sixteen-year-old Luke from Stevenage quizzed lead nurse, Joanna Carr, and clinical director, Rob Heuschkel, on how Cambridge Children's Hospital will make a difference for patients and families. Luke underwent two surgeries for a brain tumour and is passionate about making the hospital experience better for future patients.
Joanna and Rob enjoyed meeting Luke and answering his questions
Joanna and Rob enjoyed meeting Luke and answering his questions
Creating an inclusive hospital
The Cambridge Children's team took to the stage at the Pinpoint Conference in St Ives, an annual event for parents and carers of children with SEND and learning disabilities. Our lead nurse Vicky Amiss-Smith, along with Clinical Nurse Specialist Lisa Kingsley, and Parent Advocate Kate Gravett talked about how we are making the hospital inclusive and accessible.
Vicky Amiss-Smith, Kate Gravett, and Lisa Kingsley took to the stage
Vicky Amiss-Smith, Kate Gravett, and Lisa Kingsley took to the stage
We were also delighted to take part in Midsummer Fair's first ever healthcare marquee in Cambridge. It was an opportunity to talk to people from the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities about their experiences of hospital and what could be better.
The Whole Child
Movement for mental health wellbeing and physical recovery
The focus of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week was movement, something we know is important for helping children, young people and their families to feel well.
Sixteen-year-old Will spent many months in hospital being treated for Acute Myeloid Leukaemia. The ward's pool table gave him the incentive to get out of bed, when he felt well enough.
"That pool table gave us both time to be normal. Not the family with cancer, just two guys playing pool, gloating when you win, making up excuses when you lose. A chance to escape just a little bit from discussions about all the medical stuff."
Cambridge Children's Hospital will have dedicated teenage areas, as well as outdoor spaces and child-centred rehabilitation gyms.
Benjamin shares story at fundraising event
Our campaign co-chair, Dame Mary Archer, with Benjamin at the Gonville Hotel event
Our campaign co-chair, Dame Mary Archer, with Benjamin at the Gonville Hotel event
Fifteen-year-old Benjamin gave a speech at a campaign event in Cambridge. He spoke to the audience about breaking his arm at school. After the first surgery, a subsequent infection led to many more operations and time in hospital. You can read Benjamin's story here.
"Through my own experience of physical injury and treatment having a direct effect on my mental health, I can clearly see how important it is to treat the whole person. Having a hospital where this is considered for all children right from the start would make a huge difference."
The Whole Picture
A visit to Dublin's new children's hospital
Cambridge Children's Hospital will bring three partner organisations together under one roof - CUH, CPFT and the University of Cambridge. This is a massive undertaking, so it is useful to learn from others who have embarked on a similar journey.
Earlier this summer, our clinical team visited Dublin’s new national children’s hospital. At 160,000 sq m, it is over four times the size of ours! We found out how the different organisational teams are being orientated into the building and how they will work together.
"Creating an integrated care model is a big change for staff from across our partner organisations. We have a blank canvas and getting Cambridge Children's Hospital right for the staff who will work there is an absolute priority."
Over the next few years we will strive to engage with as many people as possible, from clinical teams to wider hospital support staff across both NHS trusts and our research colleagues at the University of Cambridge. We need to understand their aspirations for Cambridge Children's Hospital as a place to work.
Find out more about staff involvement.
The Whole Life
Breakthrough gene therapy allows baby born deaf to hear
The development of genomic medicine increasingly offers hope to many children and patients worldwide. The Cambridge Children's Research Institute will house the Centre for Genomic Medicine, using cutting-edge genomics to find new and better diagnostics and treatments, improving the health and well-being of children and young people.
“Within the new planned Cambridge Children’s Hospital, we look forward to having a genomic centre of excellence which will support patients from across the region to access the testing they need, and the best treatment, at the right time."
Opal with her parents, Jo and James Sandy
Opal with her parents, Jo and James Sandy
Young researcher wins award for pioneering research into new PTSD treatments
Charlotte Rye presenting her research at the Cambridge Neuroscience Seminar
Charlotte Rye presenting her research at the Cambridge Neuroscience Seminar
Charlotte Rye, 24, who is in our Young Adult Forum, suffered PTSD following serious health challenges as a teenager. This has inspired her master's research project into new treatments for people whose lives are affected by a traumatic experience. She is looking at the differences between the brains of those who are susceptible to PTSD versus those who are resilient. Read about Charlotte's story and her award.
"Even now I am dealing with the consequences of not having physical healthcare in the same place as my mental health care. For me, having everything under one roof makes complete sense."
Children help scientists grow 'mini guts' to help treat Crohn's disease
Through growing 'mini guts' in the lab, scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered that DNA changes in gut cells play and important role in how the disease presents in patients. This could in the future be used to identify the best treatment for individual patients.
Arthur, age 11
Arthur, age 11
Arthur Hatt was diagnosed with Crohn's two years ago. He is one of the children taking part in the study, which aims to improve understanding of our gut health. Read the story here.
Food in hospital survey launched
The Cambridge Children's Hospital project is working with a research team at the University of Hertfordshire to develop our strategy for food in hospital. There are two 'Food, with Care' surveys to help support this piece of work - Age 10-24 and Parents and Carers. These are open to anyone with experience of being in hospital, as a child or young person, parent/carer, or sibling. We welcome your feedback and will also be running further engagement opportunities about food in hospital, in future.
In other news
Youth Forum wins award
Benjamin, 15, and Sophia, 16, collected the award on behalf of the Youth Forum
Benjamin, 15, and Sophia, 16, collected the award on behalf of the Youth Forum
Huge congratulations to our Youth Forum members who have won an award at the Unsung Hero Awards in Cambridge. They were nominated for the Team Award for giving their time and experience to help shape the East of England's first specialist children's hospital.
Our Youth Forum (pictured) and Young Adult Forum have provided valuable insights for the Cambridge Children's Hospital project
Our Youth Forum (pictured) and Young Adult Forum have provided valuable insights for the Cambridge Children's Hospital project
While this award was specifically for children aged 16 and under, our project team recognises the enormous dedication of all our young people from the East of England who are part of our Youth Forum, Young Adult Forum, and wider Children's Network. Thank you everyone!
Follow us
The Cambridge Children's Hospital project can now be found on three social media platforms - and we'd love you join us! You can find us on Instagram, X and Facebook. Visit our website www.cambridgechildrens.org.uk
To tell us what you thought of our newsletter, or to unsubscribe, you can do so here. Thank you.
Built with Shorthand