Joint GOSH and UCLH service named as a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children

The GOSH/UCLH met the Tessa Jowell Standards of Excellence in all aspects of treatment, care and research, with the review noting many areas of outstanding service provision.

The TJBCM team highlighted the psychological care and play teams as particular areas of excellence. In their report they also note our exemplary commitment to delivery specialist palliative care both at home and in collaboration with community teams. The committee also celebrated our imaging resourcing and capacity, exemplary neuropathology services, radiotherapy infrastructure, well-integrated nurse-led care.

The award specifically recognises the world-class brain tumour research and clinical trial portfolio from the GOSH/UCLH team where they lead major funding initiatives and foster national and international collaborations.

“Above all, [this service] embodies a human-centred culture of kindness and compassion, providing wraparound holistic care …” – TJBCM feedback

Prof Darren Hargrave, Honorary Consultant Paediatric Oncologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children and GOSH Charity Clinical Professor said: “We are incredibly proud to have been awarded a Tessa Jowell Centre for Excellence for Children, recognising our patient-centred approach to care, and recognising the many teams that make our Centre so special. This award is testament to the collaboration across both GOSH and UCLH, allowing us to bring together our expertise to provide excellent care and research for children with brain tumours.”

Yen-Ching Chang, Consultant in Clinical Oncology and Clinical Lead for Proton Beam Therapy at UCLH, said: “It is a great honour for the UCLH and GOSH paediatric neuro-oncology service to be named as a Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children. We are very proud of the care that we provide to children with brain cancer, not only through the latest medical treatments, but also the therapeutic support provided through play specialists, physiotherapists, clinical nurse specialists and the many others who support children and families through their cancer journey.”

Jess Mills, Tessa Jowell’s daughter and TJBCM co-founder, proudly said: “Mum’s legacy to transform outcomes for brain cancer patients across the UK has reached another huge milestone. It has been so moving to witness how committed the teams caring for children in hospitals are to come on this journey with us.”

The nationwide review process further provides an in-depth understanding on children’s brain tumour care and research in almost every centre across the UK. Funded and supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research and GOSH Charity, TJBCM will use these fundings to launch new programmes aimed at further elevating services across the country.

The Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children award for our joint service is a fantastic recognition the huge number of teams that make our centre so special. Here are just some of the teams that contributed to the award:

• Imaging
• Neurosurgery
• Neuropathology
• Genetics
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• MDT operation
• Nurse-led care
• Rehabilitation (including physiotherapy)
• Psychological care
• Palliative care
• Education
• Play therapy

Find out more about The Tessa Jowell Centre of Excellence for Children's mission.

Replacing outdated buildings on Great Ormond Street, our new Children’s Cancer Centre will mean that children with rare and complex cancers will receive care in the best possible environment, making it easier for them to be able to play, continue with school and participate in normal activities. The CCC will also enhance our ability to research and innovate to develop new and kinder treatments for cancer.

With significant outside space, a new hospital school, child centre inpatient wards and day care spaces, imaging, theatres and critical care services linked to the existing hospital, children and young people coming to GOSH will have access to the very latest technologies and receive care and treatment in environments that reflect their needs.

For more information visit Children’s Cancer Centre.

GOSH Charity is fundraising for the Children’s Cancer Centre, find out more about how you can be part of Build it Beat it.