Croydon gives the green light for £5 million new children’s care unit
Children in Croydon are set to benefit from a dedicated children’s care unit, thanks to a multi-million pound project announced by Croydon Health Services NHS Trust today (6 August).
The project includes the addition of a brand new critical care unit and children’s cancer unit, allowing the Trust to provide care closer to home for even more of the borough’s sickest children.
Alongside this, the state of the art facility will house a medical ward, surgical ward and a short stay unit, for children and young people who need to be admitted to hospital, as well as providing improved facilities for patients and visitors, such as family spaces and relaxation rooms.
The children’s cancer unit is being supported by Chartwell Cancer Trust, who have joined forces with the NHS to raise £750,000 towards the new facility, transforming care for children, young people and their families who are dealing with cancer and the possibility of spending up to two years in treatment.
Dr Edward Holloway, Consultant Paediatrician at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust and clinical lead for the project said:
“Croydon is home to one of the Capital’s youngest populations and we’re committed to ensuring that we adapt to the needs of those that we care for at every age.
“This project has been an ambition of ours for a number of years and we’re delighted to finally be moving forward with our new children’s unit.
“This much needed funding boost will undoubtedly improve the care we provide to all of our young people, now and into the future.
“Alongside this, our new children’s oncology unit which is being supported by Chartwell Cancer Trust’s Lilypad Appeal, will allow us to look after children living with cancer in a modern, welcoming environment close to home, reducing any additional stress during an incredibly difficult time in their lives.”
The green light for the project is the latest in a number of investments in the borough’s NHS facilities, following the opening of a £21 million Emergency Department in 2018 and the announcement a £12.7million critical care refurbishment in August 2019.
The Trust’s Chief Executive and Place-Based Leader for Health Matthew Kershaw said:
“Our paediatric teams look after over 51,900 children and young people each year, both in the hospital and in our community.
“As we see the number of young people in the borough increase, we need to ensure that our services reflect their needs and the growing complexities in their health conditions. Our new children’s unit is one part of this vital work, as we bring hospital and community services as well as local GPs, social care and the voluntary groups, to provide joined up care for the people of Croydon.
“We’ll be working directly with young people and their families, as well as our staff, to ensure this unit provides the best possible facilities for them, helping to make Croydon the best place for the borough’s children to be treated.”
Michael Douglas, Head of The Chartwell Cancer Trust said:
“Here at The Chartwell Cancer Trust we are deeply committed to transforming cancer care in our communities. This paediatric oncology unit will make a life-changing difference for the most vulnerable children of Croydon.
“We are pulling out all the stops to provide them with the full range of facilities they deserve.”
Supporting the project
Chartwell Cancer Trust’s Lilypad Appeal
Chartwell Cancer Trust have joined forces with Croydon Health Services NHS Trust to raise £750,000 for the creation of a children’s cancer unit within the new facility.
The unit will transform care for children, young people and their families who are dealing with cancer and the possibility of spending up to two years in treatment for their illness.
You can find out more information about the Lily Pad Appeal and Chartwell Cancer Trust here.
Who we’re working with
Architects ‘Ryder’ have been appointed to design the new children’s unit at Croydon University Hospital, working alongside young people and their families and the Trust’s clinical teams to create the state of the art facility. Ryder have experience designing hospitals and hospices across the world, as well as child friendly environments such as primary schools.
The new unit will be constructed by Logan Construction Ltd as the Principle Contractor. Logan are delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of the new Paediatric Integrated Unit. With 24 years of knowledge and expertise of working in the healthcare sector, they are able to demonstrate relevant and extensive experience having completing a vast number of healthcare projects within the last five years alone, delivering a number of similar high quality, successful extension and refurbishment projects.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- For more information please contact Christina Clynes on christina.clynes@nhs.net. For media enquiries outside of normal office hours and weekends, please call the Trust’s main switchboard on 020 8401 3000 and ask for the Press Officer On-Call.