A £7.4 million investment has transformed the landscape of care for women and children at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, bringing state-of-the-art facilities to the heart of Gateshead. This major redevelopment marks a significant step forward in modernising our estate to better support patients, families, and staff for years to come.
The new facilities were officially opened by our Chair, Sir Paul Ennals, who described the project as a “real privilege” to unveil. These modernised spaces are designed to respect the needs of our patients.
Specialist support at the NGOC
Our brand-new Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre (NGOC) is now open, providing regional specialist care for women facing gynaecological cancer. By strengthening access to personalised, evidence-based treatment, this centre ensures that even the most complex care pathways are supported in a modern, high-quality environment.
We have also introduced a new colposcopy department, which offers women a much more private and dignified setting for essential diagnostic procedures.
Stuart Rundle, Clinical Lead for gynaecological oncology said: “These new departments give us the space and environment our patients deserve. A calmer setting can make a big difference to how people feel when they come through the door, especially women attending for complex or sensitive care.
A calmer space for younger patients
Hospital visits can be daunting, especially for the little ones. That is why our new Children and Young People’s Department has been designed with a focus on calm. Features include:
- Soothing interiors and welcoming spaces to help reduce anxiety.
- Age-appropriate play areas to keep young minds occupied.
- Beautiful wooden feature trees in the reception area and main day room, funded by a generous £18,000 donation from the legacy of Gwen Sells via Gateshead Health Charity.
Dr Sean Fenwick, acting chief executive of Gateshead Health, said: “This project is a clear investment in specialist women’s cancer care through the Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre, while also delivering a significantly improved environment for children and young people and their families.
“It moves us forward in our ambition to be a centre of excellence for women’s health and ensures our children’s services are delivered in spaces that feel calm, supportive and fit for the future. I’m proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone involved.”
Modern care in a historic setting
This was no ordinary construction project. Building began in January 2025 and involved a refurbishment of two former inpatient wards in the hospital’s original 1930s building. Our partners at QE Facilities and Robertson Construction North East worked hard to ensure these departments meet modern standards.
Gavin Evans, managing director of QE Facilities, said: “Our teams have put a great deal of work into making sure these departments meet modern standards while still fitting within the original building. It has been a complex redevelopment, but the result will make a real difference for patients, families and staff.”
We are also proud to say that this project supported the local economy:
- 94% of the project spend was with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
- 90% of the spend stayed within 30 miles of the hospital.
Neil Kennedy, regional managing director of Robertson Construction North East, said: “Having worked closely with the Trust and QE Facilities on a number of projects, we share the Trust’s commitment to providing high-quality care for patients and staff. Using our experience in live healthcare environments, we supported the Trust in overcoming structural and logistical challenges without affecting design, quality or budget. Construction also saw 94% of spend with SMEs and 90% kept within 30 miles, ensuring local people who will benefit from these facilities also benefited throughout delivery.”