Kingston Hospital’s paediatric department is one of the busiest children’s oncology shared care units in South-East England, with 65 children receiving active cancer treatment each month, in addition to those receiving long-term follow-up appointments.

The new paediatric oncology unit which officially opened at the end of January, offers a calm and dedicated space for children with cancer. The space allows patients with low immunity to infection to receive chemotherapy and other treatments away from other acutely ill children. The unit has been named after retired paediatric consultant and academic researcher, Dr Andrew Winrow, who turned an inspired vision into a wonderful reality.

Money raised by Momentum funded the interior environment of the unit, including wall-art and sensory light panels. We worked with a healthcare design agency to create bespoke artwork which aims to make children feel calmer during their time spent at the unit. We consulted young patients and the families to ensure the artwork would be suitable and could be enjoyed by the oncology children, their parents, and staff too.

Bianca Effemey OBE, Founder and CEO of Momentum said: “The new oncology unit at Kingston Hospital is incredible and something I feel very proud that we were part of. Months of meticulous planning and careful execution has resulted in creating a calm but stimulating space for young patients and their families, whilst also meeting the needs of the wonderful staff who work there. A huge thank you to our funders and to every single person who has contributed to the new oncology unit and the various other refurbishment projects that we have funded over the last few years.”

Jo Farrar, Chief Executive of Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: “We are very grateful to Momentum who have been instrumental in giving our new paediatric oncology unit a look and feel that is so appropriate and striking. The ‘other world’ themed artwork which was decided by patients, families and staff adds a real ‘wow’ factor and has been brilliantly received by our patients of all ages. Thanks to the support of Momentum what we now have here at Kingston Hospital is a cutting-edge paediatric oncology unit exclusively for children and young people with cancer – where will be able to deliver outstanding care.”

Momentum Children’s Charity is grateful to the numerous individual supporters who made donations towards the new oncology unit, as well as other projects that have been made possible over the last three years. These include the refurbishment of the paediatric garden with brand new equipment for children to enjoy, as well as the refurbishments of the Woodland Room on the children’s ward, the entrances and corridors to the paediatric area, and the children’s outpatients department.

Our sincere thanks to The Story of Christmas Appeal, Generations Foundation, Surbiton Farmer’s Market, Manulife, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, Toy Trust, Bayley & Sage, James O’Brien Trust, Zurich, The Park Family Trust, Shrewsbury House School, and supporters of our Big Give Christmas Challenge 2022– without you, none of this would have been possible.