Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

OFR has completed the RIBA Stage 3 fire engineering design for the new Cambridge Children’s Hospital – the first specialist children’s hospital in the East of England.

Working with Ramboll and Hawkins/Brown since 2021, we are supporting the development of this five‑storey, £400m facility, which uniquely combines physical and mental healthcare for young patients in adjoining areas, creating new evacuation challenges. The scheme also includes university research laboratories and a basement transfer tunnel linking neighbouring buildings.

With multiple clients – two NHS Trusts and the University of Cambridge – the approvals process has been complex, involving several fire officers, Building Control and the Fire & Rescue Service. A delayed start on site means the project will now proceed through the BSR’s HRB approval pathway, making it one of the first major new hospitals to follow this process.