Lucerne opens new children’s hospital after 55 years

Lucerne’s new children’s hospital and women’s clinic have officially opened after an investment of around 296 million Swiss francs, SRF reported. The Lucerne Cantonal Hospital plans to move both clinics into the new building in October.

The previous children’s hospital had been in use for 55 years. Its shared rooms were cramped, and corridors were also used to store equipment. The building was originally designed to treat 3,000 children a year, but the number of young patients has since risen to about 30,000.

The new facility brings the children’s hospital and women’s clinic together in a perinatal centre. Paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology are now located close to one another, along with services related to pregnancy, childbirth and newborn care.

The building includes single rooms and modern treatment and examination areas. Martin Stocker, head of the Central Swiss Children’s Hospital, said parents and other caregivers would be more closely involved in children’s care.

The hospital tested planned procedures in an empty factory hall for several months before construction. Around 80 employees, doctors and nurses contributed their views to the planning.

The project cost more than originally expected. The hospital attributed the increase to inflation, higher operational and patient safety requirements, and findings incorporated from the test operation.

At the opening ceremony, organisers connected two ribbons instead of cutting one, symbolising the merger of the children’s hospital and women’s clinic.