On 13 February 2026, the Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust announced the completion of a £7.4 million project to transform care for women and children in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear. The investment has turned two 1930s-era hospital wards at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital into modern medical spaces designed to provide more privacy and comfort for patients.
The updated facilities include the Northern Gynaecological Oncology Centre (NGOC), a specialist hub for women facing gynaecological cancer, and a new colposcopy department for diagnostic tests. These clinical areas were built to create a calmer environment for people receiving sensitive medical care. Construction on the project originally began in January 2025 to help the hospital meet modern standards for patient dignity.
Younger patients will also benefit from a new Children and Young People’s Department that features play areas suited for different ages. The reception and day rooms include decorative wooden trees, which were funded by an £18,000 donation from the legacy of Gwen Sells via the Gateshead Health Charity. This part of the hospital was designed to feel less like a clinical space and more therapeutic for children and their families.
The building work provided a boost to the local economy, with 90% of the project’s budget spent with companies located within 30 miles of the hospital and 94% of the spend directed toward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). According to the Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, this redevelopment ensures the hospital is fit for the future while still protecting its historical heritage.
Sir Paul Ennals, the chair of the trust, officially opened the new wards last week. The project was supported by the North East and North Cumbria Provider Collaborative as part of a wider plan to improve specialist healthcare services across the region.
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