About the Children’s Hospital

If you are a patient or visitor, visit the Patient, Families & Visitors page for more information.

Our Vision

Our vision is to be a vital contributor to child health care, education and research within an integrated system of regional child health care providers. We are committed to best practice derived from literature and research.

Our Values

At Children’s Hospital, our values are at the centre of the care we provide to children and their families:

We value

  • Caring and Compassion
  • Collaboration and Teamwork
  • Integrity and Responsibility
  • Pride and Enthusiasm
  • Innovation and Achievement
  • Excellence and Professionalism

Our History

In 1917, War Memorial Children's Hospital was established at the South Street site in London, Ontario across the street from what was known as Victoria Hospital. Funds were raised by the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire to build a special facility to care for sick children in London and surrounding area.

In 1922, a three-storey building called the War Memorial Children's Hospital opened with 60 beds. It had as many as 185 beds in the 70's and in 1985 moved to the Westminster site and was renamed Children's Hospital of Western Ontario.

As a result of a merger of Victoria Hospital and University Hospital in 1995, Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario came under the proud banner of the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). On October 1, 2007, Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario became Children’s Hospital.

Today, Children's Hospital has 12 critical care beds and 58 inpatient beds and serves children in London, Southwestern and Western Ontario, parts of Northern Ontario, Canada and the United States.

The Bear – Our Symbol

Children’s Hospital provides a child-friendly and patient and family-centred environment. With its outstretched arms, our Teddy Bear symbol provides a sense of welcome, comfort and safety to all who walk through our doors.
 
This Teddy Bear symbol visually identifies Children’s Hospital and our fundraising partner, Children’s Health Foundation.
 
The Comfort Promise

The Comfort Promise is our commitment to ensuring every child receives the highest level of comfort and pain management during their medical care.

We aim to minimize the pain and anxiety associated with medical procedures through the use of various compassionate and evidence-based strategies that are geared towards each child. These strategies include, but are not limited to, individualized comfort plans, distraction techniques, topical medication, positioning and sucrose. We also work with each child's family to ensure they are set up for success in the most supportive environment possible.

The Comfort Promise is important because it:

  • Improves the overall patient experience by reducing pain and distress;
  • Leads to better health outcomes through less traumatic medical care;
  • Supports families by providing a more positive medical experience; and
  • Reflects our dedication to compassionate, patient-centered care.

Every patient. Every time.