The City of Cape Town’s Social and Early Childhood Development Directorate in partnership with “Out Of Africa Children’s Foundation”, officially opened the first hospice for children which also offers accommodation for parents – aptly named “The Children’s Centre” – on Thursday, 2 February 2012.

The event was attended by Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Social and Early Childhood Development, Councillor Beverley Cortje-Alcock, who delivered the keynote address.

The facility is situated at 115 Campground Road in Newlands, in close proximity to the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, and can accommodate six families per month. Children who are being treated at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital can stay at the hospice with their parents free of charge, to alleviate the burden of travelling to and from the hospital every day. The facility will cater for pre-op and post-op child patients but mainly terminally ill children and their parents.

“The discernible gap in the provision of palliative care in a home-based environment informed the need for a children’s hospice. It is envisaged that this centre will be able to provide the child patient and their parents with a home away from home, whilst providing the expertise and necessary medical care required for terminally ill children. Moreover, the centre would also serve as a place where the family of the patient can benefit from pre- and post-trauma counselling services,” said Councillor Cortje-Alcock.

The City ensures the availability of the facility and “Out of Africa Children’s Foundation” provides the expertise and care needed for its successful operation. This facility was made available through the City’s Property Management Department by identifying vacant Council-owned properties.

“Out of Africa Children’s Foundation” was recently officially recognised as a member of the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPN). The ICPN serves as an oversight body which ensures that quality standards of services are being met and sustained.

“The City of Cape Town remains committed to taking “caring” to the next level. I am thankful to those who are working with us in providing this service and I commend their work. This City will intensify its commitment to caring for our children during this term of office and beyond,” said Councillor Cortje-Alcock.

The City’s Social and Early Childhood Development Directorate is committed to establishing more of these centres in close