The Specialist Surgical Ward at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Ward D1, currently handles approximately 180 admissions per month and needs to be ugraded as soon as possible. Patient conditions range from critically ill to stable, with ages ranging from newborn to early teens. Children are admitted to this ward in significant numbers before and after their procedures which include primarily orthopaedic, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, cardiothoracic, plastics, cardiac and hand surgery. Ward D1 caters for more patients than any other in-patient ward at the Hospital.

Ward D1 has not been upgraded since the Hospital was built in 1956 and is now unable to meet modern surgical & nursing standards. Hospital staff strive to provide the best possible medical, surgical and nursing care with the shortest hospitalization possible. To achieve this effectively and efficiently Ward D1 urgently requires an upgrade. The nature of the patient load, varied patient type and activity in D1 further emphasizes the fact that an upgrade is critical. In addition the ward plays a significant role in providing the best possible training and teaching across all categories of staff and families and plays an active role in research and rehabilitation.

As the Fundraising Arm of the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, the Children’s
Hospital Trust aims to raise the funds needed to modernise Ward D1 and bring it on par with the new state-of-the-art Operating Theatre Complex. Upgrading Ward D1 would align it with other wards in the Hospital that have already been upgraded and move a step closer to the ultimate goal of upgrading all the inpatient wards at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. 

The building and renovation of Ward D1 will cost approximately R10million.

By creating specialised areas within Ward D1 there is a way to focus care on sick children in an appropriate way, whilst also maximising the skills of the staff into these areas. There is a lot of activity in this ward and communal areas need to be free of clutter and maximal storage space is essential.  Patients require sufficient space to play, watch TV and eat.  Enough space is required for parents to be at the bedside, together with suitable ablution facilities.  Staff need to be able to relax in their breaks, therefore requiring an adequate tearoom with kitchen facilities and lockers.

For more information about the project please email cht@chtrust.org.za.

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