The cry of surprise in the title is not that it is any hospital, although I am sure all hospitals are special in their own way, but because this one is a world leader in what it does. The letters of GOSH are in capitals because they are an acronym for Great Ormand Street Hospital. It is arguably the best hospital in the world for treating sick children.
It was the initiative of a Dr Charles West who felt strongly that a hospital dedicated only to the treatment of children was what was needed. The first version of it was on the 14th February 1852 and it started as it is now, by being located in Great Ormand Street, in the area of Bloomsbury in central London, not fat from the British Museum. From small acorns grow… The first hospital was situated in a converted house along the street and could only accommodate ten children at any one time.
Its original name was the Hospital for Sick Children and the statistics for the time showed why such an institution was desperately needed. Believe it or not, but at this time, children were often turned away from hospitals. There was a survey in 1843 which produced some shocking results. It showed that out of the 2,363 patients who were admitted into London hospitals, only 26 were under the age of 10 years. So, the bottom line to this state of affairs was that 40% of all deaths in Britain concerned children under 10. This is what compelled Dr West to do something about the situation.
The hospital had the patronage of none other than Queen Victoria and had additional funding from many persons including Charles Dickens who lived close by. Six years after opening, the hospital expanded into a neighbouring property at Number 48. Then, between 1872 and 1877, a new hospital was built in the grounds of the former properties. Further expansion went ahead in 1893. The new hospital could now treat up to 120 in-patients at any one time.
So, where does the tie-up with Peter Pan come from? Well, he was created by the author EM Barry. Before he died he bequeathed that all monies pertaining to Peter Pan through the sale of books, theatrical performances and movies, should go to Great Ormand Street Hospital. And this bequest is still in place. As a commemoration of this generous gift, there is a statue of Peter Pan outside the main building.
John Pullen 