April 2026
WELCOME
to our Cambridge Children's Hospital newsletter
A model of Cambridge Children's hospital pictured from the back showing the large garden with lots of play equipment, grassa nd trees. The Building has lots of windows with colourful frames.
A photo of the Cambridge Children's Hospital model
Hello from Malcolm McFrederick, Project Director
It’s hard to believe that we are now a quarter of the way through 2026. While the daffodils have been blooming along the front of our construction site, the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project has been extremely busy finalising the hospital design with our construction partner, Bouygues UK. Over two weeks, in our Collaboration Hub on the new hospital site, more than 100 staff and carers were involved in reviewing the design of hundreds of rooms and thousands of pieces of equipment.  It has all become very real indeed.

In March we held our first Cambridge Children’s Hospital conference, where we were privileged to hear from the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza. It was wonderful for the different partners of our project to show how together we will be creating a game-changing specialist hospital and research institute, to radically improve the health of children, regionally and beyond.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support to make this hospital a reality for children and their families in the East of England.

Best wishes
Malcolm
A man with grey, slightly receding hair, wearing a pale grey suit, pale pink shirt and pale blue patterned tie. He is smiling. The back drop is a wall covered in dark green foliage
An architect image of Cambridge Children's hospital street scene. The building has a colourful facade and lots of windows
Our top stories
Cambridge Children’s Hospital hosts inaugural conference 
A large group of people in a conference auditorium. They are all wearing smart clothes and are smiling for the camera.
Our conference – A Whole New Way: Shaping the future of children’s healthcare – welcomed over a hundred delegates from the world of politics, healthcare, research, design and construction, charity, philanthropy, and patient advocacy to hear from representatives working in children’s healthcare and research from across our partner organisations. High profile speakers, including the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, and broadcaster Dr Xand van Tulleken, shared their support for Cambridge Children's Hospital. Read about the conference.
Dr Xand, who has dark grey hair and blue suit, holding an orange poster saying A Whole New Way. Next to him are three women and a young man. They are all laughing and pulling funny faces.
Dr Xand having fun with our Parent and Youth Advocates
A photo looking down onto the stage from the back of a conference auditorium. The stage is well lit, with people sitting on chairs looking at a man who is standing at a lectern doing a presentation.
Delegates heard about the new hospital's vision for care
A woman with long brown hair and a woman with shoulder length dark hair and glasses, sitting at a big table with a huge piece of paper in front of them with writing on. This is one of the breakout sessions at the conference.
Breakout groups explored food, school, art and construction
The conference was compered by Dame Mary Archer, Co-chair of Cambridge Children’s Hospital Campaign Board, who said she has championed the need for a children’s hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus since the late 1990s, but it now has a clear timetable and real momentum behind it.
Hear what Dr Xand, Dame Rachel and Dame Mary have to say about Cambridge Children's Hospital
The voices of children, young people, parents, carers and NHS staff were represented throughout the day, with a series of short films. We were also delighted that our Parent Advocates – Kate and Sarah – and members of our Young Adult Forum – Yasmin and James – joined a panel discussion with Dr Xand about how lived experience is shaping the new hospital.

We would like to thank everyone who joined the conference, as a delegate, a speaker, or facilitator.
A side view image of the stage at a conference, with people sitting on low chairs around a small table with yellow roses on. A man with dark grey hair (Dr Xand) is hosting a panel discussion with the people at the children's hospital conference
Dr Xand hosted an insightful discussion with Cambridge Children's parent and youth advocates
The Whole Life
Childhood cancer expert appointed Director of Cambridge Children’s Research Institute
A man with dark grey hair and beard, and dark rimmed glasses, standing in front of a building with a water feature on a sunny day. He is wearing a black t shirt and jeans and is smiling
The Cambridge Children’s Hospital team are delighted that Professor Behjati will lead the research institute, which will sit at the heart of the new children’s hospital on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Alongside this appointment, Sam has also been named as Head of the Department of Paediatrics at the University of Cambridge. Read about Sam’s appointment. Sam recently spoke at the Cambridge Children's Hospital conference.
“It is an enormous privilege to be given the opportunity to lead child health research in Cambridge, and I look forward to working and collaborating with individuals and stakeholders from around the campus.”
Professor Sam Behjati, Director of Cambridge Children's Research Institute
Watch Sam's speech
Study aims to identify children needing support
for school readiness 
A photo of a baby's feet with a snuggly white blanket wrapped around the legs
Image by Marjon Besteman from Pixabay
A new study is looking at how health impacts school readiness. Called BLOOMS (Babies’ Longitudinal Outcomes, Omics and Milestones Study), it aims to predict which babies in NICU are most likely to need additional help to prepare them for school. Although BLOOMS starts recruiting children in 2026, several years before the new hospital opens, it will be one of the Cambridge Children’s Research Institute’s flagship programmes.
“Waiting until age five to find out about a problem is not ideal because it’s possible you've missed this window. The premise of our study is that we can identify babies in NICU during an actionable time frame.”
David Rowitch, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Cambridge
A man with dark short hair, dark rimmed glasses, wearing a pale blue shirt, and dark blue grey suit. He is outside with shrubbery behind him.
Read about BLOOMS study
Our Community
Finalising the hospital design ahead of construction
Ahead of the hospital build starting next year, the project has been running User Group Meetings, which bring together the project team, construction team, parents, staff and other stakeholders to review the final designs for the hospital ahead of the hospital build starting next year. As you can see, there was a huge amount of work involved!
An information image. The title says User Group Meetings over 2 weeks March 2026: 23 discipline specific workshops, including theatres, radiology, research, and PICU. 50+ hours of engagement. 100+ people involved. 48 sets of drawings. 1043 room reviews. 43,000 items of equipment
With a blank canvas, we have had a unique opportunity to get Cambridge Children’s Hospital right, from the start. One of the sessions was about the lighting plan, thinking about the sensory importance of adjustable lights, how lighting impacts mood and increases security. Watch a behind the scenes video.
Impacting people with protected characteristics and groups who experience health inequalities
A group of people standing together in a room. some are in nurses uniform. Behind is a screen saying CCH Equality and Health Inequalities Impact Assessment.
Colleagues from our partner organisations, as well as members of our youth and parent groups, joined workshops to explore how Cambridge Children’s Hospital might positively or negatively impact people who have protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, or those experiencing health inequalities. In the submission of its Full Business Case, the project must demonstrate that it has considered the impact of Cambridge Children’s Hospital on the various groups. Read more about EHIA
New cohort of Frontrunners join the fold
A group of people standing together in a room. They all look happy and smiling.
Following the success of our first Frontrunners programme last year, we were thrilled to welcome a new cohort in January. This initiative is open to staff from our partner organisations CUH and CPFT, as well as regional services. Supported by the Cambridge Children’s team, the Frontrunners are given time to work on projects that drive meaningful improvements in their current services, whilst thinking ahead to the future hospital. Read more and watch the launch video
The Whole Child
Outlook positive for baby girl after early diagnosis of rare growth condition  
A woman with dark blond hair and a yellow hairband, with a yellow flowery cardigan, sitting alongside a man with dark curly hair and blue jumper. He is holding a baby in a pink cardigan and dungarees on his lap

A baby girl from Cambridgeshire has responded very well to treatment after her rare genetic condition was diagnosed following a national screening study. Little Safi was diagnosed with isolated growth hormone deficiency (IGHD), meaning she was able to start treatment early. Her adult height is expected to be within a typical range.
“It is very positive to see Safi growing and that
her size is starting to catch up with what we would
expect for a child of her age.”
Dr Emile Hendriks, consultant paediatric endocrinologist at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 
In future, children and their families from across the East of England and beyond will benefit from Cambridge Children's Hospital, which will co-locate research, healthcare and industry partners to treat more illnesses earlier and with greater precision.
Read Safi's story
Teenager shares experience of brain tumour treatment 
For Brain Tumour Awareness Month, eighteen-year-old Luke from our Youth Forum created short videos about what it’s like to have a brain tumour and how to cope after treatment. Luke is committed to helping others who face a diagnosis and time in hospital. Read Luke’s story
Luke's thoughts on coping with challenges
Luke's game to help with hospital packing!
Our Campaign
Giant panda sculptures to raise money for Cambridge Children’s Hospital
A giant fibreglass panda painting with black and white drawings of Cambridge. He is sitting in front of the Cambridge Children's Hospital hoardings by the construction site, with lots of daffodils.
Panda sculpture outside Cambridge Children's Hospital hoardings. Credit: Charlie Chrichton
In partnership with Wild in Art, our campaign partner Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) will bring a brand‑new public art experience to Cambridge in Spring 2027: the Panda Meander sculpture trail. Dozens of artist-designed bears will form a vibrant route through the city. Money raised will support transformative children’s healthcare projects. Read the story. Sculpture sponsorship opportunities for organisations in the region will be available, for more details please contact arttrail@act4addenbrookes.org.uk
Cheffins doubles fundraising target 
A huge thank you to Cheffins, who have more than doubled their original fundraising target for Cambridge Children’s Hospital with a £212,000 donation to ACT. Committed to continuing their partnership, they have recently been announced as the Lead Trail Partner for the Wild in Art panda trail.
Best-selling author hosts literary luncheon for Cambridge Children's
A man with grey hair, pale blue shirt and smart black jacket sitting at a table with piles of books which he is signing. A group of women and a man are standing behind him holding copies of the book.
Lord Archer signed copies of his book
Lord Jeffrey Archer kept the audience royally entertained with anecdotes from his extraordinary 50-year writing career and signed copies of his latest novel ‘End Game’. The luncheon raised £4,500 and was organised by the Cambridge Children's Hospital Peterborough community group, who fundraise in partnership with Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. The group have raised a fantastic  £30,000 since being set up less than two years ago.
Great Wall of China
Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust will be taking an amazing group of fundraisers to trek a remote section of the Great Wall of China, raising funds for Cambridge Children’s Hospital and the new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital. Donate here.
An image of the great wall of china, with its turrets and surrounded by mountainous hillsides and lots of trees and shrubbery
Bartlow 3 Counties Walk 2026
Tickets are available here for the Bartlow 3 Counties Walk on May 3rd, with proceeds going to Cambridge Children’s Hospital. 
More about our fundraising campaign
Other News
VIPs visit Cambridge Children's Hospital site
A group of people in front of the Cambridge Children's Hospital site on a visit
A group of people in front of the Cambridge Children's Hospital site on a visit
A group of people standing together in a room on a Cambridge Children's Hospital visit
We have been delighted to host a number of visits to the Cambridge Children’s Hospital site in recent months, including (pictured left to right) a group of Deputy Lieutenants from Hertfordshire; the High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire, The Hon Frances Stanley DL; and His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence. Guests met members of our clinical, project and fundraising team to hear about the progress of the plans for Cambridge Children’s Hospital, as well as our unique vision of care and fundraising campaign.
No evidence ADHD is over-diagnosed, say experts
A head and shoulders photo of a smiling woman with long brown hair, dark rimmed glasses and a dark top.
Health experts, including Cambridge Children’s Mental Health Research Lead Professor Tamsin Ford (left), are warning that far from being over-diagnosed, people with ADHD are waiting too long for assessment, support and treatment. Professor Ford was a senior co-author on a paper published in the British Journal of Psychiatry. Read the story.
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