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 Malcolm McFrederick, Cambridge Children's Hospital Project Director
An update from Malcolm McFrederick, Cambridge Children's Hospital Project Director
Hello,
The last few months have been very exciting for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project, with the diggers rolling onto site to carry out pre-construction works, including access roads. We look forward to hoardings going up along Robinson Way opposite the Rosie Maternity Hospital this summer, so watch this space!
Behind the scenes, our efforts continue to ramp up with our focus on drafting the Full Business Case ready for submission next year. This is the last stage of the process and approval will allow the main building work to start. We look forward to working closely with parents, carers, children, young people and staff on realising our vision of a children’s hospital where mental and physical health are treated together, alongside research.
Two of our mental health leads, Dr Isobel Heyman and Professor Tamsin Ford, co-authored a study into the benefits of bringing mental health support directly into epilepsy clinics. This is a real-life example of how integrated care improves outcomes for children and young people.
Finally, we hit the radar of two important people this month – globally acclaimed ‘Lessons in Chemistry’ author Bonnie Garmus talked about why she donated ticket sales to our fundraising campaign and TV star Dr Xand met our project team and young people to find out more about our exciting work.
Best wishes, Malcolm
Watch a snapshot of Dr Xand's visit
Work begins to prepare Cambridge Children's Hospital site
At the end of January, the diggers rolled onto site - a huge step forward in bringing Cambridge Children's Hospital to reality. The pre-construction works include creating access points, connecting services and excavating the land for the archaeological dig. Read more.
The pre-construction works, including the archaeological dig, are now well underway
The pre-construction works, including the archaeological dig, are now well underway
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. Hundreds of people have been involved in getting the project to this stage, including NHS staff, children and families around the region.
Health Minister Andrew Stephenson (in the digger) visited the site with some of the project team
Health Minister Andrew Stephenson (in the digger) visited the site with some of the project team
The diggers started on site at the end of January
The diggers started on site at the end of January
TV's Dr Xand enjoyed his visit to the Cambridge Children's Hospital site in March
TV's Dr Xand enjoyed his visit to the Cambridge Children's Hospital site in March
The Whole Community
Launch of Parent Carer Voice
As we work towards the submission of our Full Business Case, we have launched a new group called Parent Carer Voice. This group of parents and carers come from all over the region and bring a wealth of lived experience and insight. We are excited to get them involved in developing our future model of care. Sign up to the Parent Carer Voice here.
This development follows on from the incredible work of twelve parents, who have been our Coproduction Champions over the last few years. They have made a significant impact by investing huge amounts of time in supporting the project, challenging us, and advocating for families across the region. We are very grateful for their enormous efforts.
Seven of these parents and carers have kindly agreed to be Parent Advocates, representing families at a strategic level, as well as being involved in our broader feedback activities.
Our Parent Advocates - Celia, Sarah, Andy, Amanda, Kate, Jo and Shakila
Our Parent Advocates - Celia, Sarah, Andy, Amanda, Kate, Jo and Shakila
Youth Forums help shape hospital school
Since January our Youth Forum and Young Adult Forum have been looking at teenage spaces in hospital and how we can help young people who are unwell stay in school. At their next meeting, they will focus on the reintegration from hospital back into mainstream school. If you would like information about joining our youth forums, please contact sarah.allen@cpft.nhs.uk.
Amalia Pica shares vision for art at children's hospital
Following on from her workshops last year, our Signature Artist Amalia Pica has unveiled her early ideas for art at Cambridge Children's Hospital. She recorded a special video for the children, young people and staff who took part.
Cambridge Festival
Hundreds of children and young people visited us at Cambridge Festival this month, finding out more about our vision and particularly about research.
These children loved our activity 'If you were a researcher, what would you research?'
These children loved our activity 'If you were a researcher, what would you research?'
The Whole Child
Max and Parker's story
Max and Parker were both being treated at Addenbrooke's Hospital when their mums were introduced. Katherine and Siobhan discovered they lived just a few miles apart near Frinton-on-Sea in Essex. They supported each other as they navigated the next steps of their children's healthcare journeys.
As a ‘hospital without walls’, Cambridge Children’s Hospital will endeavour to treat children in their own communities, where appropriate. However, before they leave hospital, parents and carers need to gain confidence to care for their child safely at home.
"The parents know their child best and need to have control back. Through effective communication, training and education we empower parents in preparation for discharge."
The Whole Picture
Staff drop-in sessions
Over the last few months, we have hosted a series of pop-up events for staff at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the University Clinical School and the Ida Darwin wards at Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust. We spoke to more than 200 people about the hospital plans, how the project is progressing and answered questions. The feedback we received will shape how we talk to staff and get them involved in developing our plans over the coming year.
Staff were shown floor plans of the new hospital
Staff were shown floor plans of the new hospital
Clinical lead nurses
It is a priority for the Children’s Hospital project to involve staff in developing our plans and gaining their operational insight . Our clinical lead nurses, Vicky Amiss-Smith and Joanna Carr, are instrumental in making this happen.
"With different nursing backgrounds, we embrace the opportunity to learn from each other and our clinical networks. This is vital for helping realise the hospital's unique vision of integrated care, where mental health and physical health will be treated together under one roof."
Joanna Carr and Vicky Amiss-Smith have been our Clinical Lead Nurses for the last two years
Joanna Carr and Vicky Amiss-Smith have been our Clinical Lead Nurses for the last two years
The Whole Life
Research trial revolutionises mental health treatment for children with epilepsy
Bringing psychological treatment directly into epilepsy clinics showed a reduction in children's mental health difficulties compared to standard care, a new study has shown.
Cambridge Children’s Hospital mental health co-lead Dr Isobel Heyman and our research lead for mental health, Professor Tamsin Ford, co-authored the UCL-led study. Named the Mental Health Intervention for Children with Epilepsy (MICE), this is a real-life example of the benefits of treating mental health and physical health together - the vision of Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
Up to 60% of children and young people with epilepsy have associated mental health disorders and many having more than one mental health condition. These can have a huge impact on a child’s quality of life and overall health, with Dr Heyman describing this as a "huge unmet need."
“This study has shown that we can effectively detect and treat mental health problems in children with epilepsy in their epilepsy clinics, so essentially a one-stop shop for physical and mental healthcare in one place."
Watch Dr Isobel Heyman explain the importance of the MICE trial
Watch Dr Isobel Heyman explain the importance of the MICE trial
Professor Tamsin Ford, our research lead for mental health, was also a co-author on the study
Professor Tamsin Ford, our research lead for mental health, was also a co-author on the study
The new treatment, outlined here in The Lancet, was created together with young people, their families and the professionals who care for them, including doctors, nurses and psychologists.
Tristan’s story: How research brings hope to rare disease families
Tristan was diagnosed with a rare genetic developmental disorder called Russell Silver Syndrome at nine months old. Both before and after his diagnosis, his mum Celia spent hours scouring books and the internet for research that might provide answers.
Because of her experience, Celia is a passionate advocate for the Cambridge Children’s Research Institute. This 5000 m2 hub, in the heart of the new children's hospital, will bring researchers and clinicians together in one place to create a collaborative and multi-disciplinary environment dedicated to improving the health of children and young people.
"For those waiting for a diagnosis, knowing there is a strong focus on research will provide hope that one day someone will find an answer to explain why and how."
In other news
TV star Dr Xand meets Cambridge Children's Hospital team
The CBBC Operation Ouch presenter met project staff, parents and young people to learn more about our work to build the East of England's first specialist children's hospital. He also visited the site where work is underway to prepare the area for construction next year.
Dr Xand with Alisha, Sarah and Benjamin
Dr Xand with Alisha, Sarah and Benjamin
Dr Xand says the vision of bringing mental health, physical health, and world-leading research under one roof demonstrates the “exciting” future of the NHS and children’s healthcare.
"What’s even more impressive is that the children, the patients themselves, and their families, are helping shape the entire design of a hospital that will benefit the entire region, and that genuinely blows my mind. It’s a whole new way of doing medicine."
Dr Xand loved answering questions from Phoebe, Alice, Robin and Marley!
Bestselling author Bonnie Garmus raises funds for new hospital
Dame Mary Archer, Co-Chair of the Cambridge Children's Hospital fundraising campaign introduces author Bonnie Garmus to a rapt audience
Dame Mary Archer, Co-Chair of the Cambridge Children's Hospital fundraising campaign introduces author Bonnie Garmus to a rapt audience
International bestselling author, Bonnie Garmus, who wrote the hit novel 'Lessons in Chemistry', enjoyed a sit-down conversation with Dame Mary Archer last month.
The event was run by the University of Cambridge Development and Alumni Relations team, with all profits from ticket sales donated to the Cambridge Children's Hospital fundraising campaign. Bonnie said her own daughter had been "desperately ill" when she was little and they recognised the importance of having a great children's hospital close by. Bonnie added that having mental and physical healthcare in one building is vitally important for the child and their family.
Youth Forum member secures spot on the National Children's Youth Board
Fintan is not only supporting the development of Cambridge Children's Hospital, but also influencing national policy
Fintan is not only supporting the development of Cambridge Children's Hospital, but also influencing national policy
"It’s been a week! Fintan got offered the post last Friday, Sunday was a year from his brain haemorrhage and today is his birthday. All positive steps and things to celebrate."
Congratulations to sixteen-year-old Fintan who was one of six young people chosen from over 200 applicants to win a place on the national Children and Young People's Board. In his new role, Fintan will be attending board meetings and events, using his expertise and experience to improve national policy and service design. Fintan joined the Cambridge Children's Youth Forum last year and has given speeches at fundraising events.
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, Twitter and Facebook. Visit our website www.cambridgechildrens.org.uk
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