About the WCH

History of the Women's and Children's Hospital

Women's and Children's Health Network

On 1 July 2011 the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service was renamed Women's and Children's Health Network (WCHN)

Children, Youth and Women's Health Service

On 1 July 2004 the Women's and Children's Hospital joined with Child and Youth Health (CYH) to become the Children, Youth and Women's Health Service (CYWHS), an initiative arising out of the South Australian Government's Generational Health Review.

The government's reform agenda identified a number of opportunities to improve the quality and safety of health services. One opportunity was a far more integrated governance and management structure and this led to the establishment of three organisations, the Central Northern, Southern Adelaide and the Children, Youth and Women's Health Services.

The Women's and Children's Hospital

The WCH officially came into existence in March 1989. Initially known as the Adelaide Medical Centre for Women and Children, the Hospital was formed through an amalgamation of the Queen Victoria Hospital and the Adelaide Children's Hospital. Blending an internationally recognised children's health care facility with South Australia's centre for excellence for women and babies paved the way for the provision of state of the art health care in one location.

In practical terms the rebirth of the two hospitals was completed 8 May 1995 when the Women's and Babies Division, housed in the new Queen Victoria Building at the North Adelaide site of the former Adelaide Children's Hospital, opened for business.

Over 150 patients, including very premature babies, were carefully transported by ambulance and taxi to the new facility. About 9.50 am the same day little Ashlee Cossens made history becoming the first baby born in the new facility. Ashlee's birth was all the more significant because heart problems were detected and she required surgery - carried out without the need for transport to another facility.

The WCH was the first Australian hospital specialising in health services for women, children and young people. The location of services in one complex enables continuity of care of babies and children, from conception to late adolescence. The Hospital also provides extended women's health care services.

last modified: 22 Oct 2018

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