Great Ormond Street Hospital: Landmark Ruling, Scientific Breakthrough, and Hospital Updates
LONDON, 29 January 2026 – Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) has been at the centre of significant developments this week, spanning social justice, cutting-edge medical research, and hospital administration. The most prominent news is a historic legal victory for a group of hospital cleaners in a race discrimination case, while researchers have also announced a world-first scientific achievement.
Cleaners Secure Historic Discrimination Victory
A group of 80 cleaners at Great Ormond Street Hospital have won a major Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) case, with judges upholding their claim of indirect race discrimination. The case centred on an 18-month delay in transferring the cleaners, who are predominantly Black, onto full NHS pay and conditions after their contracts were brought in-house. The tribunal ruled that this prolonged wait was unlawful, marking a significant victory for pay equity and workers’ rights at the renowned children’s hospital.
Key Facts: The Cleaners’ Case & Scientific Breakthrough
| The Legal Ruling | The Research Breakthrough |
|---|---|
| Claim: Indirect race discrimination over pay terms. | Discovery: First lab-grown ‘mini-stomach’ with multiple regions. |
| Number of Workers: 80 cleaners. | Developed by: Researchers at UCL and GOSH. |
| Key Issue: 18-month delay to full NHS terms after being brought in-house. | Purpose: To study rare genetic stomach diseases and test personalised treatments. |
| Outcome: Employment Appeal Tribunal upheld the claim. | Significance: Unprecedented tool for understanding stomach disorders. |
World-First in Medical Research
In a separate development, scientists from University College London and Great Ormond Street Hospital have announced a pioneering breakthrough: the creation of the first lab-grown ‘mini-stomach’. These pea-sized organoids are the first to include all three key regions of the human stomach, providing an unprecedented model for studying rare genetic diseases, exploring how illnesses develop, and testing potential new drugs in a personalised way.
Other Hospital Developments
GOSH has also been in the news for other operational matters. The hospital has apologised to patients of former surgeon Dr Yaser Jabbar, following a review. In September 2024, an initial case review found that 22 children had come to some degree of harm. Separately, the hospital has announced plans for a new Sight and Sound Centre, a building project supported by Premier Inn. Furthermore, an orthopaedic review is ongoing, with the hospital committing to keep affected families updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the cleaners’ case at Great Ormond Street about?
The case involved 80 cleaners, most of whom are Black, who claimed indirect race discrimination because they were made to wait 18 months before being transferred onto full NHS pay and conditions after their employment was brought in-house by the hospital. The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled this delay was unlawful.
What are ‘mini-stomach’ organoids and why are they important?
Mini-stomach organoids are tiny, lab-grown structures that mimic the complex tissue of a human stomach. The new model developed at UCL and GOSH is the first to include multiple stomach regions, allowing scientists to study rare genetic diseases in unprecedented detail and test treatments tailored to individual patients.
Has Great Ormond Street Hospital apologised for surgical errors?
Yes, the hospital has apologised to patients of former surgeon Dr Yaser Jabbar. This follows a review, the initial findings of which were reported in September 2024, that identified concerns about patient harm. The hospital is conducting an orthopaedic review and has pledged to share lessons learned.