Plans for a ground-breaking new children’s hospital and research institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus moved a step closer last week, with the launch of a new website.
Researchers from multiple departments at the School of Clinical Medicine, led by Paediatrics and Psychiatry, are working with Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) and the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Foundation Trust to develop a ground-breaking new children’s hospital and research institute on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Project funding of £100 million was pledged at the end of 2018 by Matt Hancock (full story here, courtesy of CUH) and last month a new website was launched to keep people updated on progress.
The east of England is the only region in the UK without a purpose built children’s hospital. Cambridge Children’s will draw on talent and expertise from across the region to create a visionary new approach to child health. It will be the first in the world to fully integrate mental and physical health research and clinical care, with a focus on the early detection and prevention of the top health challenges for children and young people. Genomic medical research will aim at new treatments for rare and common disorders.
A hub for world-class research into child health, Cambridge Children’s will provide a unique opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. Cambridge Children’s Research Institute (CCRI) comprises a partnership of researchers across scientific disciplines in the University of Cambridge’s Schools of Clinical Medicine, Biological Sciences, Engineering, Humanities and Social and Behavioural Science and the National Health Service (NHS).
Rob Heuschkel, Clinical Director of Children’s Services for Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust said:
This is a landmark moment for children in the east of England, and together we can set a new standard for child health nationally and internationally.
Professor David Rowitch is Head of Paediatrics at the University and is a Clinical Lead on the project. He said:
Our aim is to bring about a paradigm shift, away from reactive approaches, to one based on prevention, early detection and precision intervention that is fully capable of tackling even the rarest of childhood conditions.
Professor Ed Bullmore, Head of Psychiatry at the University added:
A deeper understanding of the biological and psychological causes of mental illness will enable better treatment and life outcomes.
The launch of Cambridge Children’s is planned for 2024 and the project is proceeding apace with cross-disciplinary workstreams to integrate physical and mental healthcare, to actively engage health providers, children and their families across the region, to develop design and construction plans and – crucially – to attract £100 million of philanthropic funding needed to make it a reality.
To learn more, please visit the new website at www.cambridgechildrens.org.uk
