First phase of children's intensive care redevelopment complete
The first phase of a major redevelopment of children’s intensive care at St Mary’s hospital has been completed, with patients moving into a newly fitted unit soon.
With support from Imperial Health Charity and the COSMIC charity, and funding from the Trust, the £10 million refurbishment has now reached its half-way point.
Once the works are completed, the unit’s capacity will nearly double, from eight to 15 beds, allowing 200 more critically ill children to be treated each year. The full unit is due to open in spring 2019, with work now set to begin on redeveloping the vacated space.
The new unit, on the seventh floor of the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother building, features inspiring artworks generously donated by renowned modernist artists Josef and Anni Albers.
Working in partnership with the Albers Foundation, the Imperial Health Charity arts team and graphic designers Sable and Hawkes have brought the artworks to life using wall murals, framed prints, wallpaper, glazing and bed screens, to create a bright and welcoming new environment for patients and their families.
Children’s intensive care at St Mary’s is able to care for a wide range of critically ill children, including those needing emergency care as well as children with long-term health conditions. The unit currently looks after 400 children a year from London and beyond.
The developments have been made possible thanks to a £2.8 million grant from Imperial Health Charity, along with the More Smiles Appeal, which raised £2 million, with the remaining funds provided by the Trust itself.
