McMaster Children's Hospital is one of the largest pediatric healthcare facilities in Canada and the second busiest in Ontario. Children and families come from Hamilton, Halton, Niagara, Brant, Guelph and beyond to receive specialized care at our hospital.
Over 40 pediatric clinics within McMaster Children's Hospital help young patients with asthma, cancer, developmental disorders and virtually any illness. In the past year, more than 150 000 children and their families were cared for. McMaster Children's Hospital is also home to one of the country's newest and busiest Neonatal Intensive Care Units. Some of the outpatient programs and services offered at McMaster Children's Hospital can be found at the Chedoke site, including the Nutrition, Metabolism and Exercise Program, the Developmental Pediatrics and Rehabilitation Program and the Offord Centre.
** OUR MISSION **
McMaster Children's Hospital is the regional academic centre for pediatric acute care, rehabilitation, developmental and mental health services. We achieve our mission by
* Leading in the provision of the best and most compassionate care in the
hospital and community for children, youth, their families and those with
special developmental needs.
* Collaborating with community partners in the coordination of care and the
education of families and communities.
* Advancing and sharing knowledge gained through research to improve health and
health care
* Providing education in the special knowledge and skills to meet the
particular needs of children, youth and families
* Advocating for the optimal health of all children and youth.
** OUR VALUES **
McMaster Children's Hospital is committed to the Hamilton Health Sciences core values of respect, caring, innovation and accountability.
In fulfilling the unique mission of McMaster Children's Hospital and in pursuing our vision, we are also committed to
* The inherent worth of all children and youth
* Partnership with children, youth and families in care and decision-making
* The unique differences and needs of children, youth and families and the
special qualities of those who provide their care.
** OUR VISION **
Advancing health and integrating care for children and youth through excellence, innovation and partnerships.
History Of McMaster Children~s Hospital
** History **
The origins of the McMaster Children's Hospital can be found in the decades of pediatric care that occurred in the four acute care hospitals in Hamilton prior to 1988. After the opening of the McMaster University Medical Center (MUMC) in 1972 there was an ongoing consolidation of pediatric services at the MUMC site. This has allowed for the development of state-of-the-art services for children with complex disorders. The move also allowed the teaching programs in child health, affiliated with McMaster University, to flourish.
In 1988, the concentration of specialized pediatric services at MUMC was officially designated a children's hospital. This meant that McMaster Children's Hospital was able to provide highly specialized services that people across the country have come to expect from traditional free-standing children's hospitals.
Since then, the programs and services offered by McMaster Children's Hospital have grown in both size and scope. In September of 2001, the new NICU opened its doors with state-of-the-art technology, allowing the hospital to care for up to 47 babies instead of 33. McMaster Children's Hospital has seen both redevelopment and expansion of its ambulatory clinics.
McMaster Children's Hospital is one of the busiest children's hospital in the province and in the future will continue to provide excellent care to the children of Hamilton and the surrounding region.
