Illawarra Community Foundation announces a $1 million contribution to the final stage of the Wollongong Hospital Children’s Ward redevelopment.

16 September, 2022

The Illawarra Community Foundation has today announced a further $1 million contribution to the final stage of the redevelopment of the Children’s Ward at the Wollongong Hospital.

ISLHD Chief Executive Margot Mains has paid tribute to the incredible efforts of the Foundation, and our amazing community, in support of local children and families.

“Today’s announcement is simply incredible. We are supremely grateful for the support we’ve received over the past five years for the Children’s Ward redevelopment, which now totals a staggering $4.3 million. “When we’re finished the final stage, the ward will have been completely refurbished for our young patients and their families, all thanks to the Illawarra Community Foundation and the annual Convoy event,” said Ms Mains. The Final Stage of development includes the Paediatric Clinic Area and the Paediatric Assessment Unit. These areas are the day units, focussed on caring for outpatients and children with chronic illnesses. Children with chronic illnesses will often need to see more than one clinician for care. Wollongong Hospital Paediatrician, Dr Susie Piper, said the new area will have four additional rooms so we can run a multidisciplinary clinic for those children needing that specialised level of care.

“Immunocompromised children, like those undergoing chemotherapy treatment, need extra special care during their regular visits. The ward currently cannot facilitate a dedicated space for this type of care, so it will be terrific to have the area in place. “The Final Stage development will also include a self-contained single room with a bathroom so we can care for these for immunocompromised children in the very best way possible,” said Dr Piper. Once the redevelopment is complete, the ward will provide local children and their families with outstanding health services, within an enhanced world class facility supported by doctors, nurses and other staff who will be able to do their best work in caring for local sick kids. “This final stage means our service is not just about paediatric inpatients and children who are admitted to the ward. It’s also for the kids with chronic and complex conditions who need to visit hospital all the time. Our vision is to meet the needs of most of the children in our community, including those with chronic illness,” says Dr Susie Piper.