News / Bristol children's hospital
Bristol Children’s Hospital celebrates 25 years
Bristol Royal Hospital for Children – better known as Bristol Children’s Hospital – has celebrated its 25th anniversary.
The building on Upper Maudlin Street was officially opened in 2001 by king Charles when he was prince of Wales and was the first purpose-built hospital designed exclusively for children in the UK.
Through its first capital appeal, the Grand Appeal raised £12m of the initial £30m build cost.
The hospital is now a centre for excellence for paediatric care, is home to the only dedicated children’s emergency department in the South West and is also the South West’s major trauma centre for children.
It covers the largest geographical area of any children’s hospital in the UK, extending north to Cheltenham, east to Swindon and west to Truro.
Consultant paediatric orthopaedic & trauma surgeon, Martin Gargan, said: “As someone who operated on the day of opening 25 years ago, I’ve had the privilege of seeing the hospital, teams, treatment and care develop enormously in that time.
“As a hospital, we’ve been able to provide specialist first of their kind treatment techniques and groundbreaking equipment in the South West.
“We have cared for some truly incredible children and young people.
“I want to thank every family who has entrusted us with the care of their child and the hospital teams, volunteers, fundraisers, youth ambassadors and charity partners who have made the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children the incredible place it is.”
Wallace and Gromit celebrate the Children’s Hospital’s 25th birthday – photo: Bristol NHS Group
Bristol NHS Group chief executive, Maria Kane, said: No-one wants their child to require hospital care but we are incredibly fortunate as a city and a region to have a fantastic children’s hospital with such innovative, passionate and highly skilled colleagues who work tirelessly to provide excellent care for children and young people.
“On the 25th birthday of the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the health and wellbeing of the young people in the South West and beyond.”
The Grand Appeal director, Nicola Masters, added: “It has been a privilege for the Grand Appeal to be part of Bristol Children’s Hospital journey over the past 25 years.
“From the very beginning, we set out to help create a hospital that could truly transform care for children.
“Thanks to the extraordinary creativity and commitment of Aardman, with Wallace and Gromit proudly spearheading our fundraising, that ambition became a reality.”
Main photo: Bristol NHS Group
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