June 9 2025

A pioneering children's hospice has marked its thirtieth anniversary with a £17m rebuild.

Children's Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) has filed a planning application with Alastair Forbes Architects for Rachel House, the first children's hospice in Scotland.

The Kinross-based facility is one of two hospices run by CHAS but requires significant investment to meet the needs of today's children and families. The number of children cared for by Rachel House has soared from under 100 when it was first built in 1996 to over 200 today, attributable to improved life expectancy following recent medical advances. This trajectory is unsustainable for the present accommodation.

Architect Alastair Forbes commented: “It’s key the rebuilt hospice meets the needs of the children and families supported now and as we look to the future. We were privileged to have input from a family involvement group made up of parents and supported children who have real experience of accessing services at Rachel House.

“The new plans reflect what they told us is important to them about Rachel House and how families interact with the building and each other – showing us areas that needed to change.”

Subject to approvals building work could commence next year with the rebuilt hospice up and running by 2027.

Post your comments