The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children was founded in the wake of a cholera epidemic, which helped to focus public attention on the plight of sick children in the East End. The Hospital's founders were two Quaker sisters, the Misses Ellen and Mary Phillips.

In July 1867 a dispensary for women and children was opened in Bethnal Green. The following year it moved to new premises in Hackney Road, becoming known as the North-Eastern Hospital and Dispensary.

A new building fund began, allowing the Hackney Road site to be expanded and new ward accommodation to be added.

A country branch of the hospital was also opened at Bexhill-on-Sea. This was known as the Little Folks Home after the monthly magazine of the same name. Here, convalescing children could recuperate in the fresh air.

A new outpatient department of the main hospital was opened, dedicated to Lady Cooper, a generous supporter.

The hospital was amalgamated with the Princess Elizabeth of York Hospital for Children, to become The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children. By 1945 it had over 200 beds.

The hospital became part of the newly created NHS and it became part of the Hackney Group of Hospitals in 1963 and the Shadwell branch closed.

The hospital became part of The Royal Hospitals Trust, now Barts and The London NHS Trust.

The services of the hospital were relocated to The Royal London Hospital, where they retain their historical identity through their current name, The Queen Elizabeth Children's Service, a title granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.