Rob Heuschkel

What does a typical day look like for you?

I do about two Cambridge Children's Hospital days each week, which can involve a wide range of things. Recently, this has included a lot of meetings with architects, engineers, and the construction team around the hospital design, as well as talking to staff and experts about the equipment and space they will need in the new building. I also have a fair number of fundraising events every week, meeting potential donors, pitching to inspire individuals to help support the mission. There are also presentations to do and meetings to hold with Trust executives, staff and leaders from other hospitals and organisations around the region to see how Cambridge Children's Hospital can help them - and how they can help support our project!

What inspired you to join the Cambridge Children’s Hospital Project?

I came to Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) in 2008 to set up a new regional paediatric gastroenterology service in the new children's hospital they were about to start building. While I was Divisional Director for Women and Children's services at CUH for 7 years, it was increasingly obvious that children across our region needed a dedicated facility to have specialist care. My own work in gastroenterology made clear how essential it was to manage physical and mental health together in children with long term conditions. When I stopped this role in 2019, it was an obvious move to Clinical Director for the Cambridge Children's Hospital project, as we had managed to get the first £100m from the Government in 2018.

Share one meaningful or interesting part of the project that you’ve contributed to

I have worked very hard to ensure that this hospital is seen as an asset to the whole region, that it will be for children from all around the region. This has meant I have had the chance to meet with many people from the East of England - doctors, nurses, patients, families, High Sheriffs and Deputy Lieutenants, fundraisers, patient support groups, and many more.

Describe the Cambridge Children’s Hospital project in three words

A Whole New Way! Otherwise:

• Ambitious
• Exciting
• Inspiring

What excites you most about the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital?

Cambridge Children's Hospital will send a clear signal that we care for the health of our children, as well as improve the care and outcomes those who haven't had the good fortune to have a healthy childhood.