22nd June 2026 marks ten years since Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was joined by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who opened Alder Hey in the Park on an unforgettable visit and tour of the new hospital on this day in 2016.
Hundreds of well-wishers, including Alder Hey patients, families and staff, gathered outside and inside the Hospital, waving Union Jack flags to welcome the Queen and the Duke to the new Hospital.
One of the most memorable moments of the day came when two-year-old Lewis Connett, a Young Fundraising Ambassador for Alder Hey Children’s Charity, welcomed the Queen with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the children and young people cared for at Alder Hey. Lewis, who had several surgeries at Alder Hey, helped raise thousands for the new Hospital.
The Royal Party were then taken on a tour of the new Hospital which included a walk around the Outpatients Garden (funded by the Steven Gerrard Foundation), a performance by Alder Hey’s Staff Choir, a special meeting with some of the children and young people involved in the Hospital’s design and a memorable visit to our Oncology and general medical ward (where they were treated to a Royal tea party prepared by Alder Hey ward chefs). They then walked through the main Hospital Atrium, meeting more staff, visitors and supporters before the Queen unveiled a plaque to commemorate the opening.
In the ten years since…
Since officially opening a new Hospital a decade ago, Alder Hey has continued to develop a world-leading children’s healthcare campus. Over the past decade, we have expanded far beyond the main hospital building, creating an environment where clinical care, research, innovation, education and wellbeing come together to improve outcomes for children and young people. Sitting next to our main Hospital is our Institute in the Park, a dedicated centre for collaboration and discovery and home to our Alder Hey Academy, bringing together experts in research, education and innovation. Also on our campus is Sunflower House (a dedicated mental health facility) and our Catkin Centre (a purpose-built outpatient facility), as well as our Alder Centre, which provides specialist bereavement support for families.
Opening our new hospital was a vital catalyst to establishing Alder Hey as one of the leading children’s healthcare organisations in the UK. Guided by our Vision 2030 strategy, we have continued to transform the way healthcare is delivered, helping to create a healthier, happier and fairer future for children and young people.
Over the last ten years, Alder Hey has strengthened its reputation as a centre of excellence, delivering groundbreaking treatments, leading internationally recognised research, and developing innovative services that improve care closer to home. From advances in digital healthcare and AI, to new models of care that reduce hospital visits and support families in their communities, we have continued to work in collaboration with partner organisations to push the boundaries of what a modern children’s health provider can achieve.
This journey has culminated in Alder Hey being awarded Advanced Foundation Trust status recently, a significant milestone that reflects the dedication of our staff, partners and families, whose commitment has shaped the organisation into the leading children’s healthcare campus it is today.
Over the past ten years, Alder Hey Children’s Charity has invested more than £50 million, helping to transform equipment, bring moments of magic to patients and families, support the growth of our healthcare campus and community, advance research and innovation, and champion the voices and needs of children and young people.
As we celebrate 10 years since the official opening of Alder Hey in the Park, we can look back with immense pride on everything that has been achieved. What began as a bold vision to create a world-class children’s hospital, designed around the needs of children, young people and families, has become so much more than a hospital building. We have worked hard to provide services across our communities, bringing care closer to home.”
Dame Jo Williams, Chair of Alder Hey
“Over the past decade, Alder Hey in the Park has provided the platform for us to become one of the most innovative children’s healthcare providers in the country. It has enabled us to bring together clinical care, research, innovation, education and wellbeing in a way that is transforming the lives of children and young people, not only across our region but nationally and internationally.
“We have always believed that our role extends beyond treating illness. We are passionate advocates for children and young people, working with partners to improve health, wellbeing and life chances, and helping every child to achieve their full potential.
“This anniversary is an opportunity to thank everyone who has been part of the journey, our staff, governors, volunteers, partners, supporters, children, young people and families. Together, they have helped create something truly special, and I am excited about what the next decade will bring for Alder Hey and the children and young people we serve.”
Photos from the last ten years
