In 1964 Health Minister Anthony Barber announced in Parliament that Nottingham had been selected for a new teaching hospital and medical school, with 1,200 beds and an annual intake of 100 students.[4] It was designed by the Building Design Partnership.[5] Legal delays with the purchase of the 43-acre site meant that building work did not commence until May 1971. Lack of funding became a serious problem after 1979, and slowed the commissioning of some parts of the hospital. It was well into the 1980s before the project was completed.[6]
The Nottingham Children's Hospital was founded in 1869 in Russell House. Nursing staff were drawn from the Sisters of St Lucy which led to it being given the unofficial name "St Lucy's". In 1899 it moved to larger premises at Forest House, donated by the lace manufacturer Thomas Birkin. In 1978, the occupants became the first in-patients of QMC when they were moved to the hospital's current location in East Block.[13][14] The hospital cares for about 40,000 children up to 18 years old each year. It has 116 beds.[15] On 17 August 2020 Nottingham Children's Hospital (along with NUH Sexual Health Services) received the American Nursing Credentialing Centre (ANCC) Pathway To Excellence designation in recognition of nursing excellence. It was the first Children's Hospital in Europe to receive this designation.[16]
Transport
The hospital is situated at the junction of the dual-carriageway Nottingham Ring Road (A6514) and the east–west A52 and A6200. There is a Medilink bus service, which connects Queen's Drive (Park and Ride) with Queen's Medical Centre, Wilkinson Street (for park and ride) and Nottingham City Hospital. Trent Barton’s indigo, i4 and Red Arrow and Nottingham City Transport's Grey Line 53, 54 and Orange Line 34, 35 and 36 bus services stop near to QMC.[17]