New Children’s Hospital Project

The New Children’s Hospital

The New Children’s Hospital, located on the Royal Hospitals site, will provide world-class medical care to children and young people right across Northern Ireland.

The 10-floor state-of-the-art facility, which is an Executive flagship project, will have 155 beds, 10 theatres, and an emergency department capable of catering for up to 45,000 children per year. Eighty per cent of the beds will be in single rooms with private ensuite facilities, and each ward will benefit from social and play spaces, with parent facilities and separate staff areas.

The child-centred hospital design focuses on delivering innovative clinical care in a nurturing environment allowing us to continue our mission of improving healthcare services and reducing waiting times for children in need.

Construction began in March 2025 and is expected to be completed within five years. During this period, the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children will continue to operate, ensuring uninterrupted care for our patients.

Supported by a pioneering engagement programme, the new children’s hospital project will ensure that the benefits of having a world-class hospital are fully realised by patients, service users and staff as well as the communities neighbouring the hospital.

Why do we need a NCH?

This new regional children’s hospital is urgently needed to allow children and families across Northern Ireland equal access to world-class medical facilities and address the growing healthcare demands of our young population.

The current Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children is outdated and we have outgrown the facilities. A new modern, technologically capable building will allow our dedicated teams to deliver excellent and innovative clinical care to future generations. The increased capacity available in the new build will help us reduce waiting times and ensure a more comfortable environment for children and their families. While the state-of-the-art facilities and advanced medical technology, will help attract top medical professionals and researchers, fostering innovation and excellence in paediatric healthcare.

The new hospital will be a crucial facility for future generations ensuring that every child in Northern Ireland receives the best possible care.