New £8.6m Jenny Lind hospital complex treats first patients

The new facility at the Jenny Lind Children's Hospital, at the Norfolk and Norwich in Colney, opened its doors at 7.30am on Tuesday, January 9.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held earlier this week in which Ronnie Cooper and Henriette Johnson - the unit's first two patients, aged two and four respectively - helped do the honours.

Nick Hulme, interim chief executive of the N&N, said: "This is a major development for paediatrics at the N&N.

"Not only will this unit provide the very latest equipment, it will do so in an environment which is vibrant, engaging and welcoming for our younger patients and supports our ambition to be a leading provider of specialist paediatric care in the East of England."

Clinical lead Caroline Banson, who cut the ribbon, said: "It is a big day for all of us and I would like to thank everyone involved who has helped us reach this point.

"I am really proud of the unit, which has been created very much with our younger patients at the heart of our decision-making."

The new complex includes a pediatric operating theatre, a recovery unit and various patient support facilities.

A £160,000 grant from the N&N Hospitals Charity has also allowed audio-visual equipment to be installed in the block, meaning it can also be used for training and education.

The facility opens following a host of delays, which saw the costs soar by more than £1m.

The final cost ended up £2m more than originally anticipated - swelling from £6.5m to an £8.6m final bill.

Work began on the major extension in early 2021 but works were paused in August 2022 due to "contractual issues".

It had been anticipated the complex would be open by October 2023, before further delays were experienced.