War Memorial Children’s Hospital: The history and legacy of paediatric care at LHSC

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Above: War Memorial Children’s Hospital’s 1969 preemie party.

Since its opening in 1922, War Memorial Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, now known as Children’s Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC), has provided world-class care to countless children across Southwestern Ontario. In the century that followed, Children’s Hospital has been the site of groundbreaking medical innovations and cutting-edge research, becoming a critical player in the advancement of paediatric care in Ontario.

The War Memorial Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario opened its doors on October 29, 1922. Replacing Victoria Hospital’s twenty-year old Children’s Ward with the intention of being a living monument to commemorate those who fought in the First World War, War Memorial Children’s Hospital was built on the corner of Colborne and South Streets. A state-of-the-art, three-storey facility, equipped with sixty beds, War Memorial Children’s Hospital was able to address the urgent need for specialized paediatric care in the region.

“Since October 1922, Children’s Hospital at LHSC has been dedicated to providing exceptional care to every child who comes through our doors,” says Shannon Maier, Vice President of Children’s, Women’s, Quality and Performance, and Pharmacy at LHSC. “In the century that followed, countless lives have been touched by the expertise, compassion, and unwavering commitment of our teams.”

Over the years, War Memorial Children’s Hospital continued to grow and evolve to meet the needs of paediatric patients. January 1957 saw the opening of the new convalescent ward and play therapy room; a space intended for paediatric patients who were well enough to be up and about but not well enough to return home. It was a ward that encouraged play, allowing patients to experience the joys of childhood while still remaining under constant supervision of physicians and nurses.

Decorated with characters from beloved nursery rhymes, animals and furniture painted yellow, red and green, the space provided a happy atmosphere where toys and games were always available. The addition of the ward marked a significant step in patient-centered care at War Memorial Children’s, ensuring support throughout their entire care journey.

At War Memorial Children’s Hospital, care extended far beyond the completion of treatment. The longstanding tradition of ‘preemie’ birthday parties brought together children who had been in the premature nursey to celebrate the milestone of their fifth birthdays. In the summer of 1957, the first official preemie party was held on the back lawn of the hospital. The children came dressed in their best clothes, ready to celebrate with games, treats and prizes. War Memorial Children’s staff set up kindergarten tables, covered in birthday tablecloths and bouquets of pink and blue flowers, where the children would sit and enjoy an array of sandwiches, cakes, cookies, fruit and entertainment. At the end of the celebration each child was gifted a colouring book, crayons and a silver spoon, engraved with “W.M.C.H. 1952-57″.

Apart from being a social gathering for the children, the occasion was monumental from a medical standpoint. Just five years prior, these children came into the world early, ranging from one pound, fourteen ounces, to four pounds. Through the aid of isolettes and incubators, coupled with the specialized care and knowledge at War Memorial Children’s Hospital, the preemie patients graduated from the nursery and were thriving years later.

War Memorial Children’s Hospital would stay at its location on Colborne and South Streets until 1985 when it was relocated to Victoria Hospital’s Westminster site. The move would bring with it a new name, Children’s Hospital of Western Ontario, creating a unique “hospital-within-a-hospital” but what remained was the commitment to caring for the region’s youngest and most sick patients.

The dedication to patient care which began at War Memorial Children’s over a century ago is still ever present at Children’s Hospital at LHSC as it continues to uphold a legacy of cutting-edge care, rehabilitation, and research.

“This anniversary is not just a celebration of our past,” says Maier. “It is a commitment to continue building a brighter, healthier future for every child and family we serve.”

LHSC is celebrating 150 years of care, innovation, and community impact by sharing 150 moments from our history. Join us in marking this milestone by sharing your own LHSC story.