Red Cross reveals new orthopaedic centre

Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital unveiled its new state-of-the-art orthopaedic centre on Tuesday, September 30.

The new orthopaedic centre at the children’s hospital, which costs R90 million, was constructed and fund-raised by the Children’s Hospital Trust (CHT), marking a milestone in paediatric healthcare. It brings together all in- and outpatient services under one roof.

The 100% donor-funded unit includes a 30-bed inpatient ward, outpatient consultation rooms, two specialist operating theatres, two procedure rooms, a central nurses’ station, and a physiotherapy gym with an outdoor therapeutic play area.

After 100 years of service, Maitland Cottage Children's Orthopaedic Hospital in Newlands had no option but to close its doors, and the orthopaedic services were consolidated at the Children’s Hospital.

The volume and complex needs of the patients necessitated the construction of a dedicated facility to ensure that these children continue to receive high-quality care.

In the new facility, the legacy of the Maitland Cottage Hospital lives on. In his address, Ian Scott, who was the chairperson of the board at the Maitland Cottage Hospital and is passionate about the cause, said Maitland Cottage Home was built on care.

“A group of compassionate people got together and bought two cottages in Maitland for the care of children with orthopaedic needs greater than those that which was available at the time. I think those guys who started it nearly 100 years ago would be super proud of what they see here today.”

The children’s hospital CEO, Dr Anita Parbhoo said previously their children’s orthopaedic services were rendered across two separate facilities, which are at Maitland Cottage Hospital in Newlands, and the hospital.

“This project was born out of a necessity to consolidate services here and create a new, combined multidisciplinary space for the management of children who require specialised orthopaedic and rehabilitation services,” she said.

Dr Parbhoo said that this new unit will transform care for more than 5 000 paediatric orthopaedic patients annually, while also serving as a training hub for the next generation of paediatric specialists.

“This is a testament to the power of partnerships between the public sector and donors, ensuring that children in the Western Cape and beyond receive world-class care,” she said.

On an annual basis the children’s hospital orthopaedic department manages 1 700 admissions,
5 500 outpatient visits, and 1 000 surgeries. Included in that number are 1 400 patients who receive treatment in the clubfoot clinic.

CHT CEO Chantel Cooper said: “This has been a tricky project, but with every challenge, there came opportunities. And with the opportunities, we’ve found the value of collaboration. And the important thing was, we solved the problems together.”

Ms Cooper expressed her heartfelt thanks to the donors whose contributions have funded the project.

“This project is 100% funded by donors. We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without your support. Thank you for trusting us to do what we do best, and that is creating safe spaces for the Red Cross team to provide an incredible service to children and their families.”

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis delivered the keynote address at the unveiling. He said that the new unit would raise the bar of paediatric healthcare in the country.

“May this new orthopaedic unit raise the bar even higher and enable you to bring more hope, more comfort, better care, and new opportunities in life to even more boys and girls in our city.

To find out more about The Children’s Hospital Trust, visit https://www.childrenshospitaltrust.org.za/