Loss of EU funding could be very problematic for children says Great Ormond Street

This article was published on: 08/4/16

London’s leading children’s hospital, Great Ormond Street, has warned that the decision to leave the EU could damage children’s healthcare and research, due to them losing a significant portion of funding that allows them to carry out their work.

GOSH – Childrens Research Centre

Great Ormond Street Hospice has provided specialist paediatric care and research for children since 1852. They treat over a quarter of a million children each year and provide more than 50 clinical specialities.

With medical breakthroughs including bone marrow transplants, gene therapy, heart valve replacements and heart & lung transplant machines being introduced by their team over their 150+ years of operation, they have proven to do plenty of amazing work for children in the UK.

With much of their funding coming from external sources, the charity recently suffered a blow as a result of the EU referendum,  as leaving the EU is likely to heavily affect a selection of funding and grants made available by the union, which will affect the level of care they can provide. In the aftermath there have been pleas from senior Ormond street bosses to try and strike a deal upon leaving that will still ensure funding is received in order to continue fighting children’s illnesses.

EU funding implications

The worry by those who head up Great Ormond Street, is that once the UK withdraws from the European Union, it could stand to lose a myriad of funding capabilities as well as its currently employed EU staff. The withdrawal could cause problems with its existing partnerships if funding or research cannot be shared.

In the short term, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said there would be no impacts on businesses or funding until at least 2020. This allows some time to plan ahead and learn about how changes will affect the hospice.

By 2020, regardless of any deals in place, Great Ormond Street could stand to lose 10% of its budget should no continual funding be found. Having received £25 million from the EU since 2010 GOSH has been able to green light 44 projects as a result.

Uncertain future

While there will be no changes for a few years in regards to funding or the availability of staff from EU countries, the long term future is looking very unpredictable and unstable for a very British institution. Funding could be heavily affected, but the answer will only be made clear in around four year’s time.

Until that time it will come down to people of the UK doing their bit to help by donating to help make up any potential shortfall. Over the years, a number of Scott Rees & Co staff have supported the cause in the past and understand the good work carried out by GOAT as a dedicated children’s charity.

Children’s injuries can have devastating effects on a family as more serious injuries can impact their entire life. Scott Rees & Co has experienced this first hand for years and has helped numerous families repair the damage caused by children hurt due to negligence.

If you or a friend requires legal assistance as a result of an injury to a child, please call us on 0808 278 8907 or contact us using our online form here for free advice without obligation.

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