Lord Coe opens new GOSH building

Friday 15th June 2012

Gold medallists Lord Seb Coe and Baroness Tanni-Grey-Thompson have opened a hospital's pioneering new clinical building for children with life-threatening conditions.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe and Paralympian Baroness Thompson opened Great Ormond Street Hospital's (GOSH) Morgan Stanley Clinical Building on June 14.

During the day Baroness Thompson and Lord Coe chatted with some of the London-based hospital's young patients who have enjoyed sporting success at the British and World Transplant Games.

The building is the first part of the hospital's £45 million Mittal Children's Medical Centre project, which will see the redevelopment of the cardiac wing of the hospital to provide new patient treatments and research for families and seriously ill children.

The facility will help the hospital to treat up to 20% more children and advance pioneering translational research programmes, which help turn ideas into health products.

It features three-state-of-the-art operating theatres for patients needing neuro or cardiac surgery, diagnostic facilities, spacious wards with en suite bathrooms, a hybrid angiography suite, and a new restaurant.

A new play area has also been created thanks to support from The Walt Disney Company.

Lord Coe said: "I was delighted to accept the invitation to open Great Ormond Street Hospital's new clinical building. Great Ormond Street Hospital is recognised internationally as a centre of excellence and the clinical and surgical teams are among the best in the world.

"But just like the best sportsmen and women, they need the best equipment and best facilities if they are to reach their full potential. This morning I have met children on one of the new wards and have been left in no doubt that these new facilities will help to give children the very best chance possible."

Dr Jane Collins, chief executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital said: "Today is a very important day for Great Ormond Street Hospital as it marks an important step forward in our plans to provide world-class facilities to our patients. We are so grateful to all our supporters who have made this day possible."

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