Scotland’s first children’s hospice Rachel House gets green light for £17m revamp

Scotland’s first children’s hospice has been given the green light for a major multi-million-pound revamp.

Rachel House, in Kinross, is one of two children’s hospices run by Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).

The hospice has been given the green light after Perth and Kinross Council approved plans for a £17m rebuild.

The original site will be transformed with an additional hydrotherapy pool, better-equipped bedrooms, and a fully accessible adventure garden.

The extensive upgrade is needed to ensure the hospice, which opened 30 years ago, can continue to meet the needs of children and families who rely on it.

Building work is set to begin in 2026 with the full project set for completion in 2027.

Rami Okasha, CHAS CEO, said: “We are delighted to have been given the green light by Perth and Kinross Council to move ahead with our plans. This marks a major step forward for CHAS in creating the world’s most advanced children’s hospice.

“No one should face the death of their child alone and CHAS is alongside families facing the news that their child will die young on this hardest of journeys. Behind each of those children is a family full of love, laughter, and fierce resilience.

“Rachel House provides much-needed care and support to children and their families. Our ambitious plans will ensure CHAS can continue to provide world-class care not just today but for the next 30 years.

“We now need to raise £17m to rebuild Rachel House, on top of the funds we desperately need to care for families in every part of Scotland. Children’s hospices provide love, care, and are a source of huge comfort to many.”

The hospice cost £10m when it opened back in 1996.

In the 1990s, Rachel House supported just under 100 children a year, but now, the number has more than doubled to over 200 and continues to rise.

Dr Qusai Alhamdan’s children Mo and Elaine have both been supported by Rachel House since 2021.

He said: “CHAS is a wonderful charity and Rachel House is a place very close to our hearts. Mo and Elaine both suffer from Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia, which causes problems with movement, coordination and balance.

“As their condition is degenerative, making memories together as a family is very important to us and we have spent many wonderful respite visits at Rachel House.

“Our family are all very excited about the refurbishment project as we know lots of careful thought is going into making sure the redesigned building will remain a special place and will deliver first-class specialist hospice care to families like ours right across Scotland.”

Architect Alastair Forbes said: “Receiving planning approval from Perth and Kinross Council marks an exciting step forward for Rachel House.

“Rachel House is a very special place and it is a privilege to work alongside children, families, staff, and volunteers to co-design a place shaped by their needs and experiences.

“The new Rachel House will remain a joyful, comforting home from home, providing care for children with life-shortening conditions.”