History
After a long campaign by Dr Charles West, the Hospital for Sick Children was founded on 14 February 1852 and was the first hospital providing in-patient beds specifically for children in the English-speaking world. Despite opening with just 10 beds, it grew into the world's leading children's hospital through the patronage of Queen Victoria, counting Charles Dickens, a personal friend of Dr West, the Chief Physician, as one of its first fundraisers.
Audrey Callaghan, wife of James Callaghan (prime minister of the United Kingdom from 1976 to 1979), served the hospital as Chairman of the Board of Governors from 1968 to 1972 and then as Chairman of the Special Trustees from 1983 until her final retirement in 1990.
Princess Diana served as president of the Hospital from 1989 until her death. A plaque at the entrance of the hospital commemorates her services, as well as a bust in the lobby of the hospital chapel.
The Charles West School of Nursing transferred from Great Ormond Street to London South Bank University in 1995.
In 2002 Great Ormond Street Hospital commenced a redevelopment programme which is budgeted at £343 million and the next phase of which is scheduled to be complete by 2012. The redevelopment is needed to expand capacity, deliver treatment in a more comfortable and modern way, and to reduce unnecessary inpatient admissions.
Great Ormond Street Hospital became a foundation trust on 1 March 2012.
In April 2012, BBC One London transmitted a documentary called "Great Ormond Street Hospital", presented by Tim Donovan, which explained how the hospital is facing accusations that it is downgrading child protection work and "victimising" staff who raise concerns. The hospital posted a detailed response stating that "the allegations in this programme are not correct and the programme does not provide a balanced position".
Read more about this topic: Great Ormond Street Hospital
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