Projects funded by RNOH Charity

Thanks to our generous donors, RNOH Charity has funded a range of projects which were simply not affordable within the limits of NHS funding. These include:

New Imaging Centre
We were thrilled to witness the opening of a revitalised scanning service at RNOH in 2024 with the launch of the new Imaging Centre in Stanmore. With state-of-the-art scanners generously funded by RNOH Charity key donors, the department now offers a HiRise scanner for feet, hips and knees, as well as the NHS' first EOSedge scanner, which can take multi-lateral images while the patient simply stands beside the machine. Read more..

Centenary Theatres
Thanks to a transformative grant of over £820,000 from RNOH Charity, the hospital opened its state-of-the-art Centenary Theatres complex in 2023, boosting surgical capacity and improving care for around 800 additional patients each year. The funding enabled vital enhancements, including cutting-edge medical equipment, sustainable design features and an improved working environment for staff. This extraordinary contribution helped turn ambitious plans into reality, easing NHS pressures and supporting RNOH’s mission to deliver world-class care now and for the future.

Lyra Gait Trainer
Fundraising of £150,000 saw the amazing Lyra Gait Trainer installed for patients at RNOH in 2024. A first for the NHS, this remarkable device supports and guides spinal cord injury patients, enabling them to complete up to 20 times more walking practice than before and bringing hope of a better recovery. As soon as it was installed at Stanmore, the Lyra made an immediate and profound difference to patients’ lives. Read more...

Spinal Cord Injury Centre day-room renovation
This transformation has completely revitalised the day-room at RNOH with a modern design, tailored specifically to the needs of spinal cord injury patients and their visitors, ensuring the new space is not only beautiful but functional and fully inclusive. Read more...

Research into life beyond the hospital for better children's outcomes
We were proud to celebrate RNOH Charity’s vital funding of the Stanmore Children’s Orthopaedic Outcomes Project (SCOOP), with grants totalling over £213,000. This pioneering research explores the physical, psychological and social impact of major orthopaedic treatments on children and young people, including those recovering from sarcoma, amputations and spinal conditions. By using innovative technologies like gait analysis and wearable activity trackers, and involving nearly 80 patients to date, SCOOP is helping clinicians understand what truly matters in long-term recovery. The goal is to shape personalised rehabilitation strategies that aim not only for survival, but for a full return to life - at school, in communities and beyond, and to help inform international guidelines. Read more...

Artwork in healthcare
The Stanmore Building at RNOH features a carefully curated collection of artwork aimed at creating a calming, uplifting environment for patients, visitors and staff. Research shows that art in healthcare settings can reduce stress, anxiety, depression and even pain, while supporting recovery. Highlights include Tribe, a vibrant installation of 50 heads representing the people of RNOH, and a rotating selection of artworks. These pieces were personally curated by HRH Princess Eugenie, the Charity’s Royal Patron, with the hospital community in mind and reflecting the powerful role art can play in healing and wellbeing.

Bone surgery research with a rich history
A pioneering research project is tackling infection risks in bone tumour surgery, where medics aim to avoid amputation. With infection rates up to 20 times higher than standard procedures, the impact on patients is serious. The team is exploring targeted antibiotic use, including phage therapy - an approach first discovered during the First World War - to fight resistant bacteria. This research could revolutionise care, reduce NHS costs, and shape global treatment guidelines, thanks to the vital support of RNOH Charity. Read more...

The Stanmore Building
RNOH Charity contributed over £3 million towards facilities in the Stanmore Building. We funded enhancements including:

• Two new therapy gyms to assist our patients’ rehabilitation
• An interactive children’s activity centre
• Enhancements and equipment for every single bed space in both the Children and Young People’s Ward and Adult Acute Wards
• An outdoor garden and play area for children undergoing treatment
• Pepper, an interactive robot designed to improve the experience of our young patients
• A range of enriching artwork to provide an uplifting experience for our patients
• The infrastructure for a new private patient ward, which will generate vital funds for RNOH and help sustain the long-term future of our hospital

Spinal Cord Injury Centre expansion
Thanks to a grant of over £520,000 from the RNOH Charity, RNOH's Spinal Cord Injury Centre (SCIC) was able to construct an extra six patient bed spaces and purchase a range of specialist furnishings and equipment for the expanded centre.

The growth of the SCIC means RNOH can offer its world-class service to many more patients per year than was previously possible. The expansion also enabled the centre to admit patients much more quickly. People previously had to wait an average of 56 days before they could be transferred from their referring hospital to the SCIC; these waiting times were set to be reduced by as much as 30% as a result of the expansion.

The RNOH Volunteer Service
Since its inception in 2015 and funded by nearly £1m from RNOH Charity, the RNOH Volunteer Service has dramatically improved the quality and efficiency of hospital services. The successful growth of the group has allowed additional services to be introduced through the years, such as the patient buggy service, the patient shopping trolley and patient mealtime buddies.

Peripheral Nerve Injury Unit
In partnership with the hospital's PNI Unit, RNOH Charity funded an innovative project to help fight phantom limb pain, a condition that affects over 50% of amputees.

Supporting hospital staff
Through targeted support, RNOH Charity helps make the hospital a place where talented staff feel valued and choose to stay. Our funding fosters a positive workplace culture, supporting wellbeing, professional growth and staff recognition. In 2024 and 2025, we’ve funded the Staff Achievement Awards, Nurses’ Day celebrations, professional training, key conferences, subsidised gym access, and awarded nearly £17,000 for the Institute of Healthcare Engineering summer studentship programme - investing in both current staff and future neuro-musculoskeletal specialists - all thanks to your generous support.