Children are not just small adults. They cannot always say what is bothering them. They cannot always answer medical questions and are not always able to be patient and helpful during a medical examination. Our Paediatric surgeons know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relaxed and cooperative. Paediatric surgeons must have equipment and facilities specifically designed for children.
Modern Paediatric Surgical departments are arranged and decorated with children in mind. This includes the examination rooms and waiting rooms, which have toys, videos, and reading materials for children, as well as a play area, enabling the child to run around. This helps create a comfortable and non-threatening environment for the child. Facilities are also available for the parents, with en-suite rooms to make overnight stays comfortable, and ensuring the parent can be close to their child throughout their stay.
Our Paediatric department was first established over 40 years ago and at the time was a fully-functioning, fit-for-purpose service. However, over time, the facilities have not kept up with ever-advancing Paediatric services and do not meet the standards required for such a specialist area of care. We were determined to change this.
At that time, it was common for rooms to be shared. There was not the same understanding then, that we have today, about the importance of parents staying close to their children during surgery and recovery. We now place much more emphasis on the importance of facilities which are designed specifically with children in mind – comfortable ensuite accommodation for children and their families, and children’s play areas, all designed with the purpose of speeding recovery and promoting the physical and emotional well-being of each child.
We therefore took the decision to temporarily close the current Paediatric Surgical department, and relocate the department to another part of the hospital, believing that with your help, we could raise the funds needed to completely redesign and renovate a new department, one that the city of Nazareth would be proud of.
In 2016, we completely renovated the Neonatal department with the most modern of equipment and facilities. It was nominated amongst the top 3 Neonatal departments in Israel. We want to do the same with our new Paediatric Surgical department. Thanks to your support we are able to do this.
We have completely redesigned the department with the care of children and their families at its heart. The renovation includes rooms with en-suite facilities, play areas, examination rooms, a medical room, a laundry room, and medical staff offices. Once completed, we believe that if your child needed us, we would be able to provide the best care possible. So do join us, and make this dream a reality.
Through the kind, generous and sometimes sacrificial giving of friends and supporters, we have raised over the required funds for this development. Work has already started and we plan to hold a celebration opening of the new Paediatric Surgical department, in March 2018. We hope you will join us and be part of these celebrations.
We see a Nazareth where any family will know that their child can access the vital surgery and medical care that they need. We see a Paediatric Surgical department which offers the highest standards of care, in an environment that promotes the well-being of families and their children at a time of great stress and worry. We see a team of highly professional Paediatric Surgical doctors and specialist nurses using their skills and passion to give children the best outcomes for their young lives. Thank you for helping us make this dream a reality for the children and families of Nazareth.
