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.