Our vision for fully integrating the treatment of mental and physical health under one roof is capturing global attention. We have recently taken our pioneering approach to events in Europe, gathering interest and enthusiasm from international experts in children's healthcare.
Members of the Cambridge Children’s Hospital team were invited to present at events in Portugal and Denmark, a reflection of the project’s growing reputation as a pioneer in the future of children’s healthcare.
Professor Isobel Heyman, one of the project’s clinical leads for mental health, was invited to speak at the Annual Educational Symposium in Psychiatry at Aarhus University in Denmark. The theme of the event was ‘Translational Excellence’, with Professor Heyman one of six keynote speakers. She explained that when Cambridge Children’s Hospital opens in 2030, it will be the first in the world to fully integrate mental and physical healthcare, and research, into one purpose-designed building.
“Recently the Danish government ruled that physical and mental healthcare should move rapidly to full colocation and integration,” explained Professor Heyman, “so Cambridge Children’s Hospital is viewed as an exemplar of this holistic approach.”
As a child and adolescent psychiatrist, Professor Heyman has spent years advocating for the benefits of integrating children’s mental and physical healthcare and removing the siloes that exist. She described it as gratifying that the innovation represented by the holistic care of Cambridge Children's Hospital was recognised as world leading.
I did not think I would see the day when the global clinical and academic community would recognise the importance of integrated care for improving outcomes for children and families. To be on a platform with world leaders in psychosis, depression and eating disorders, and to witness the enthusiasm and interest for the Cambridge Children’s Hospital vision, really brought home to me the importance of our pioneering work.
Professor Isobel Heyman, Clinical lead for mental health, Cambridge Children's Hospital
Professor Heyman answered questions about the project’s approach, strategy, and design of the building, as well as overall philosophy and cultural change. She also touched on how children, young people, parents and carers, including those from diverse and underrepresented communities, are at the forefront of shaping how the hospital will look, feel and care.
Meanwhile, in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, our lead nurse Vicky Amiss-Smith joined Kate Bradley, Associate Director of MJ Medical (opens in a new tab), to present at the 25th International Foundation for Integrated Care conference. The event brought together leaders, researchers, clinicians, managers, community representatives, patients and carers from around the world who are engaged in the design and delivery of integrated health and care.
Vicky Amiss-Smith described it as a “privilege” to take the Cambridge Children’s Hospital vision to an international arena and described the interest and support for the hospital’s future plans as “heartening.” She said the conference was also an opportunity to seek inspiration.
It was great to hear about how models of integrated care are being shaped and delivered across a range of care settings. We were listening and learning and thinking about how that information can help shape the work which is happening back at home for Cambridge Children’s Hospital.
Vicky Amiss-Smith, Lead Nurse, Cambridge Children's Hospital
Healthcare planners MJ Medical have been an integral part of the project’s design team, bringing the overall vision for the building and holistic care to life. Kate Bradley said it was a pleasure to share the progress of mental and physical health integration for children and young people in the East of England with the international integrated care community.
It felt particularly poignant to present an ongoing piece of work, especially in contrast to other presentations focused on pathways still in the early stages of implementation.
Kate Bradley, Associate Director, MJ Medical
Cambridge Children’s Hospital is a triumvirate partnership bringing together expertise in mental health (CPFT), physical health (CUH) and research (University of Cambridge). A three-year building programme is due to start in early 2027, with the construction partner being announced this summer.