Cambridge Children’s Hosp.: Pediatric Care & Info

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Pediatric Hospital Guide · Cambridge UK · Design & Care Model

Cambridge Children’s Hospital pediatric care, architect team, location, timeline, services, family support, and patient information

Cambridge Children’s Hospital is a planned specialist children’s hospital for the East of England. It is being developed on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus and is designed around a “whole child” model that treats physical health and mental health together.

The hospital is not yet open for walk-in appointments or routine admission. Current children’s care continues through existing NHS pathways, including GP referral, NHS 111, Addenbrooke’s children’s services, emergency care, CAMHS, and regional specialist services.

Planned hospital Cambridge Biomedical Campus Architects: Hawkins\Brown + White Arkitekter Whole-child care model
Official Cambridge Children’s Current CUH Children’s Services Urgent Help Now
Medical emergency? Cambridge Children’s Hospital is still in development. For a life-threatening emergency in the UK, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent medical help that is not life-threatening, use NHS 111; call 111 for children under 5 or use 111 online for people aged 5 and over.
Important status note: This is a project and future-hospital guide. Do not travel to the planned Cambridge Children’s Hospital site expecting a functioning children’s hospital reception, emergency department, outpatient clinic, admissions office, or ward.
Current status Planned / in development

Construction is anticipated to start in 2027, with an aspiration to finish construction in 2030, subject to change.

Location Biomedical Campus

Planned opposite the Rosie Hospital, near Robinson Way and Dame Mary Archer Way in Cambridge.

Architects Hawkins\Brown + White Arkitekter

Part of an international team led by Turner & Townsend, with Ramboll and MJ Medical.

Care model Whole child

Designed to integrate physical health, mental health, family support, education, and research.

Age range 0-16, with flexibility

Official FAQs say children and young people 0-16 will be treated, with mental health admissions up to 18.

Current care route Existing NHS services

Use GP, NHS 111, Addenbrooke’s, CUH children’s services, CAMHS, or emergency services as appropriate.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital overview

A practical guide to the planned pediatric hospital, who is involved, and what families should know now.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital is planned as the first specialist children’s hospital for the East of England. The project’s central aim is to combine physical healthcare, mental healthcare, research, education, and family-centred design in one purpose-built hospital environment.

The hospital is a collaborative venture between Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and the University of Cambridge. It is also being developed with regional partners, local education input, clinicians, researchers, families, and young people.

Best use of this page
Understand the planned hospital, architect team, design concept, projected timeline, future services, and how to find current children’s care before the hospital opens.
Not for
Booking a current appointment, requesting a same-day clinic slot, attending A&E, or contacting an open inpatient ward at Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
Current help route
Use your child’s GP, NHS 111, Addenbrooke’s children’s services, CAMHS, local NHS trusts, or emergency services depending on the situation.

Current status: is Cambridge Children’s Hospital open?

No. Cambridge Children’s Hospital is still under development and should be treated as a future hospital project.

Status item Current official position What families should do
Planning permission Granted in March 2022. Use official Cambridge Children’s updates for planning and construction news.
Pre-construction Pre-construction works began in February 2024. Do not treat the building site as a care destination.
Construction partner Bouygues UK was appointed as construction partner in August 2025. Follow project updates for construction timeline changes.
Construction start Official FAQs anticipate construction starting in 2027. Use current NHS services until the hospital opens.
Completion aspiration The project aspires to finish construction in 2030, with all timescales subject to change. Check the official site before citing opening dates.
Patient access The new hospital is not yet open for routine appointments, inpatient admissions, outpatient clinics, or emergency attendance. Use GP, NHS 111, Addenbrooke’s, CAMHS, or emergency services now.
Content accuracy note: Because this is a live NHS infrastructure project, dates, scope, clinical moves, and service details may change. Always use official Cambridge Children’s, CUH, CPFT, and NHS sources for current decisions.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital architect and design team

The slug for this page targets “architect,” so this section explains the design team and design intent.

Project role Officially linked team What they contribute
Lead consultant / project and cost manager Turner & Townsend Project management, design-team management, stakeholder management, and cost-management services.
Architect Hawkins\Brown UK healthcare, clinical research, architecture, interior design, and research-building expertise.
Architect White Arkitekter International healthcare design experience and child-focused hospital-design knowledge.
Engineering and sustainability Ramboll Engineering and sustainability services for the hospital project.
Healthcare planning MJ Medical Healthcare planning expertise, clinical planning support, and care-model input.
Planning consultant Bidwells Planning-consultancy support for the campus and hospital approval process.
Construction partner Bouygues UK Construction partner appointed to work with the project team on the hospital build.

Design intent in plain language

Whole-child layout

The building is being designed around children and young people who may need both physical and mental healthcare, rather than separating those needs into different systems.

Outdoor space and daylight

Architect project notes describe gardens, courtyards, terraces, play spaces, sensory gardens, teen spaces, light, and nature as part of the building concept.

Adaptable hospital design

The design uses flexible thinking so clinical spaces can adapt to changing technology, care pathways, and future healthcare needs.

Sustainability

Design notes describe sustainability, low-carbon planning, efficient structures and façades, daylight, fresh air, renewable-energy exploration, and BREEAM / Passivhaus-standard ambitions.

Location, campus position, and planned building context

The hospital is planned for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, close to existing specialist NHS services and research partners.

Planned site
Land opposite the Rosie Hospital, next to the Cambridge Movement Surgical Hub, on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.
Nearby reference points
Robinson Way, Dame Mary Archer Way, the Rosie Hospital, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, and Cambridge South railway station area.
Current site use
Pre-construction and project-development activity. It is not a current pediatric-care destination.
Future campus role
The hospital is expected to link with existing children’s services, the Rosie, Addenbrooke’s, research facilities, regional NHS partners, transport services, and community pathways.
Family travel note: Once the hospital opens, check official patient travel instructions before attending. Current Biomedical Campus parking, public transport, drop-off, and disabled-access arrangements can change during construction.

Urgent help now: what to do before Cambridge Children’s opens

Use current NHS urgent and emergency routes. Do not go to the planned hospital site for medical help.

Situation Best action now Why
Life-threatening illness, severe injury, breathing difficulty, seizure, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, or serious accident Call 999 or go to A&E. NHS emergency services and A&E are for serious and life-threatening emergencies.
Urgent medical help, but not life-threatening Use NHS 111. Use 111 online for age 5+ or call 111 for children under 5. NHS 111 can direct you to urgent treatment, GP out-of-hours, pharmacy, A&E, mental health support, or other appropriate care.
Child has worsening symptoms and you are unsure what to do Call 111 or contact your GP. Use 999 if symptoms become life-threatening. Children can deteriorate quickly, and triage helps decide the right care route.
Mental health crisis, self-harm risk, severe distress, or safety concern Use emergency services if immediate danger exists; otherwise contact local crisis/CAMHS routes, GP, 111, or the responsible care team. The planned hospital is not yet operating as a crisis-access point.
Existing specialist child-health appointment or referral Use the contact details on your NHS appointment letter or the current CUH / CPFT pathway. Current clinics and wards are still run through existing NHS services.
Do not delay emergency care: Cambridge Children’s is a future hospital. If your child is seriously unwell now, use current emergency, GP, NHS 111, A&E, and specialist-service routes.

Current pediatric care while Cambridge Children’s is being built

Families should continue using existing NHS care pathways until services move into the new hospital.

GP and community care

For non-emergency child-health questions, contact your child’s GP, health visitor, community service, school nurse, or existing care team.

NHS 111

Use NHS 111 if you need urgent help and are not sure where to go. Call 111 for children under 5 or use 111 online for age 5+.

Addenbrooke’s children’s services

Current children’s services at Addenbrooke’s remain an important regional and local pediatric route for Cambridge and surrounding areas.

Children’s mental health support

Children and young people may be supported through CAMHS, GP referral, school-based services, charities, mental health teams, hospital support, and specialist pathways.

Referral reminder: Specialist children’s care usually needs referral or triage. Use your child’s appointment letter, GP advice, NHS 111, or existing specialist team rather than attempting to self-present to a future hospital site.

Planned pediatric services and facilities

Official staff and public FAQs describe planned clinical areas, but final scope remains tied to the Full Business Case and project delivery.

Planned area What official information describes Family meaning
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit PICU beds designed to flex between level 2 and level 3 care, with end-of-life care room and bereavement suite. A regional critical-care environment for seriously ill children, with family-sensitive spaces.
Operating theatres Seven theatres, including an emergency theatre, with paediatric recovery. Surgical capacity for children who need planned or urgent procedures.
Imaging and diagnostics X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, CT, fluoroscopy, imaging, and diagnostics. More tests and diagnosis pathways designed around children’s needs.
Day units Surgical and medical day units plus a cancer day unit. Children may be treated and go home the same day when clinically appropriate.
Cancer and blood disorders Haematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant inpatient ward. Specialist inpatient care for children and young people with cancer and blood-related conditions.
Integrated inpatient wards Three integrated inpatient wards for children with both physical and mental health needs. A key feature of the whole-child model.
Hospital school Classroom space on wards and on the ground floor. Education support for children whose health needs disrupt school attendance.
Patient rooms All patient rooms are planned as single cubicles and ensuite. Privacy, dignity, infection-control support, and family-centred care.

Physical and mental health together: the “whole child” model

This is the main care idea behind Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Integrated care

The hospital is being designed to reduce the divide between mental and physical health so children with complex needs are not bounced between disconnected systems.

Psychologically informed care

Official project pages describe staff training in psychologically-informed care, family-centred care, communication, play, and developmentally appropriate activity.

Flexible workforce

The project describes staff training across physical health, mental health, learning disability, and neurodiversity, with plans for dual-registered roles in some areas.

Family-centred support

The model is intended to support the child, young person, family, carers, education needs, and wellbeing, not only the diagnosis.

Plain-English example: A child with cancer, diabetes, neurological needs, pain, anxiety, eating concerns, neurodevelopmental needs, or long-term illness may need both medical treatment and mental-health-aware support in the same pathway.

Family support, education, play, privacy, and teenage spaces

The design is being shaped with input from young people, parents, carers, clinicians, and researchers.

Family need Planned or design-related support Why it matters
School continuity Hospital school with ward and ground-floor classroom spaces. Long admissions can interrupt education and routine.
Privacy and dignity Single ensuite patient rooms are described in official staff FAQs. Privacy matters for children, teenagers, families, infection control, and mental wellbeing.
Teenage identity Design notes mention dedicated spaces for teenagers and young people to relax. Teenagers need age-appropriate spaces, autonomy, privacy, and peer-sensitive care.
Play and recovery Architect notes describe central playgrounds, ward gardens, terraces, sensory gardens, and activity spaces. Play, nature, light, and movement can support recovery and reduce hospital stress.
Faith, reflection, and quiet Official staff FAQs mention a multi-faith sanctuary space. Families may need quiet, prayer, reflection, or emotional space during difficult treatment.
Information and navigation Official staff FAQs mention an information centre and family/staff rest areas. Large hospital visits are easier when families can ask questions, rest, and orient themselves.

Research institute and specialist pediatric innovation

Research is not an add-on; it is planned inside the hospital model.

Embedded research institute

Official FAQs describe an embedded 5,000 sqm research institute within Cambridge Children’s Hospital.

Research focus areas

Official FAQs list research activity in childhood cancer, diabetes and obesity, genomic medicine, infection and inflammation, neurodevelopment and mental health, and perinatal health.

Clinician-researcher collaboration

The model is intended to bring University of Cambridge researchers and NHS clinicians closer together in the same children’s-health environment.

Early diagnosis and prevention

Project pages emphasise prevention, early diagnosis, genomics, data, telemedicine, and better regional pathways.

What this means for families: Research integration does not mean every child automatically joins a study. Participation in research requires appropriate consent, eligibility, information, and ethical safeguards.

Travel, transport, parking, and campus access

Current project information suggests families should expect Biomedical Campus-style travel planning rather than unlimited on-site parking.

Travel topic Officially described context Practical note
Parking Staff FAQ content says very little additional parking is being developed, with drop-off and disabled parking spaces available. Once open, confirm parking instructions on appointment letters and official pages.
Park and ride Babraham Road and Trumpington park and ride are listed as options for travel to the campus. Check current bus routes, accessibility, and travel time before appointments.
Bus and cycling The Biomedical Campus is served by bus routes, and secure cycle storage is part of the plans. Good for staff and some families, but not suitable for every medical visit.
Cambridge South station Official pages describe Cambridge South railway station as adjacent to the Biomedical Campus area. Check opening status, route, step-free access, and hospital directions at the time of travel.
Emergency travel Emergency care uses current NHS emergency routes. Do not self-drive to a construction site in an emergency. Use 999, A&E, or NHS advice.

Future referrals and who may be treated

Referral pathways will depend on the final clinical model, service moves, regional networks, and NHS commissioning.

Planned age range
Official FAQs say the hospital will treat children and young people from 0 to 16 across the East of England and beyond, including children and young people with cancer.
Mental health age range
For mental-health provision, official FAQs say the hospital will continue to provide care for admissions for young people up to their 18th birthday.
Transition to adult services
Most children and young people are expected to move into adult services around age 16, but some may benefit from ongoing care until age 18 depending on clinical and developmental needs.
Regional role
The hospital is planned as a local pediatric centre for Cambridge and surrounding areas and a specialist children’s hospital for the East of England.
Future referral script: “My child has a specialist pediatric condition. Is this currently managed through Addenbrooke’s/CUH, CPFT/CAMHS, our local hospital, or a future Cambridge Children’s pathway?”

Appointments, medical records, and contact while the hospital is not open

Use your current provider, appointment letter, and NHS service contact routes.

Need Use now Do not use
Current pediatric appointment The phone number, clinic, ward, or booking office on your appointment letter. The planned Cambridge Children’s project site as a booking office.
Medical records The NHS trust, GP surgery, clinic, or hospital that currently holds the record. A future hospital project page for active record release.
Referral status Your GP, local hospital, existing specialist team, or NHS referral information. Unofficial websites or construction-project updates as referral confirmation.
CAMHS or mental health support Local CAMHS, GP, school support, crisis line, 111, or emergency services depending on severity. The future hospital site for immediate mental health crisis access.
Press, charity, or project information Official Cambridge Children’s website and partner communications. Clinical emergency routes for non-clinical project questions.
Privacy note: NHS staff cannot normally share a child’s records, appointment details, or clinical status with unrelated people. Parents, guardians, and young people may still need identity checks, consent, or formal request procedures.

Planned Cambridge Children’s Hospital site map

The planned site is on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus, opposite the Rosie Hospital area. Use the map only for project-location context.

Planned site area:
Cambridge Biomedical Campus
Near Robinson Way and Dame Mary Archer Way
Opposite the Rosie Hospital area
Cambridge, United Kingdom

This map is for planned-location context only. It is not a current hospital entrance, emergency department, reception desk, outpatient clinic, or admissions point.

Official source checklist used for this guide

Use these official sources for final verification because construction timeline, clinical moves, travel arrangements, and project scope can change.

Official source What it verifies When to use it
Cambridge Children’s official website Project overview, hospital vision, news, partners, project updates, and whole-child model. Use for the latest hospital project status.
Official FAQs Who will be treated, partners, timeline, planning permission, construction partner, planned scope, age range, and regional need. Use before citing opening, construction, or service-scope details.
Our project Integrated physical and mental health goal, co-design, workforce training, whole-child approach, telemedicine, and regional pathway ambitions. Use for care-model explanation.
Staff FAQs Timeline, location, planned facilities, staff model, transport context, parking, and services expected to move. Use for detailed planned facility and travel information.
Design team announcement Turner & Townsend, Hawkins\Brown, White Arkitekter, Ramboll, and MJ Medical design-team roles. Use for architect and design-team facts.
Hawkins\Brown project page Architect collaboration, project details, sustainability approach, gardens, terraces, teen spaces, adaptable design, and project team roles. Use for architecture and design-intent details.
CUH Cambridge Children’s page CUH partner context, East of England need, mental/physical healthcare integration, and embedded research institute. Use for current NHS partner context.
CUH children’s services Current Addenbrooke’s children’s services and regional pediatric service context. Use for current-care routes before Cambridge Children’s opens.
NHS 111 guidance When to use NHS 111, 111 online, or call 111 for children under 5. Use for urgent but non-life-threatening medical help.
NHS 999 guidance When to call 999 for emergency help. Use for life-threatening emergencies or serious immediate danger.
Independent guide notice: USHospitalGuides.com is not Cambridge Children’s Hospital, CUH, CPFT, the University of Cambridge, NHS 111, or an emergency service. This page helps users navigate official public information. Always use official NHS sources for care, appointments, emergencies, referrals, and records.

Cambridge Children’s Hospital FAQs

Common questions about the planned hospital, architects, pediatric care, location, current services, and emergency help.

1. Is Cambridge Children’s Hospital open now?
No. Cambridge Children’s Hospital is still in development. Official FAQs say planning permission was granted in March 2022, pre-construction began in February 2024, construction is anticipated to start in 2027, and completion is aspired for 2030, with timings subject to change.
2. Who are the architects for Cambridge Children’s Hospital?
The architect team is Hawkins\Brown and White Arkitekter. They are part of a wider international design team led by Turner & Townsend, with Ramboll providing engineering and sustainability and MJ Medical providing healthcare planning.
3. Where will Cambridge Children’s Hospital be located?
The hospital is planned for the Cambridge Biomedical Campus on land opposite the Rosie Hospital, near Robinson Way and Dame Mary Archer Way, next to the Cambridge Movement Surgical Hub.
4. What is the main care model for Cambridge Children’s Hospital?
The hospital is being designed around a whole-child model that integrates physical health, mental health, research, family support, education, psychologically-informed care, and age-appropriate pediatric services.
5. What ages will Cambridge Children’s Hospital treat?
Official FAQs say the hospital will treat children and young people from 0 to 16 across the East of England and beyond, including children and young people with cancer. For mental health provision, admissions for young people up to their 18th birthday will continue.
6. What services are planned for Cambridge Children’s Hospital?
Planned services include PICU, seven theatres, imaging and diagnostics, surgical and medical day units, cancer day unit, haematology, oncology and bone marrow transplant inpatient ward, integrated inpatient wards, hospital school, and an embedded research institute.
7. What should families do for pediatric care before the hospital opens?
Families should use current NHS pathways, including GP services, NHS 111, Addenbrooke’s children’s services, existing specialist teams, CAMHS, local hospitals, A&E, or 999 depending on urgency.
8. Is Cambridge Children’s Hospital an emergency department now?
No. It is not currently an open emergency department or walk-in hospital. For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent but non-life-threatening help, use NHS 111.
9. What research will be inside Cambridge Children’s Hospital?
Official FAQs describe a 5,000 sqm embedded research institute with research activity in genomic medicine, neurodevelopment and mental health, childhood cancer, diabetes and obesity, infection and inflammation, and perinatal conditions and care.
10. Will Cambridge Children’s Hospital have parking?
Official staff FAQ content says very little additional parking is being developed alongside the hospital, with drop-off and disabled parking spaces available. Families should check current official travel instructions when the hospital opens.