First pile signals start of future-proof Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital
On Thursday 28 November the first pile has been driven, marking the start of the renovation of the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ). With this renovation the WKZ/UMC Utrecht takes a big step towards a future-proof children’s hospital, where innovative and sustainable care is provided to the patients and their families. A common thread of the renovation is the creation of space, tranquility and privacy for both child and parent or caregiver.
The renovation will begin with the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and High Care and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which will transition from inpatient wards to single rooms. This will allow parents or caregivers to stay and stay overnight with their sick child. This contributes to family-oriented care, where parents or caregivers are closely involved in their child’s care. In this way, they have more control and privacy together.
In addition to these departments, the Pregnancy and Triage Departments are also being remodeled, and the Medium Care Neonatology and Maternity Departments are being merged into family rooms, where parents and newborns can stay together in a personalized environment. All is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Josefien Kursten, member of the Executive Board of the UMC Utrecht: “With this renovation, we are focusing on the care of tomorrow. By transforming the hospital into a place where patients with their families and colleagues are central. In the new and renovated departments we will work differently to provide better family-oriented care. We will ensure that our working environment and the healthcare technologies we use are ready for the future.”
Keep an eye on the website for up-to-date information.
Senior civil servants from the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) visit Utrecht Science Park to exchange knowledge on improving prevention, healthcare and economic earning capacity.
How can we ensure that innovations reach patients more effectively and quickly, while also contributing to the Netherlands’ future earning capacity? This question was at the heart of a visit by senior civil servants from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy and the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport to Utrecht Science Park on Friday, 31 October.
Free Bicycle Light Repairs Mark Launch of National Cycling Visibility Campaign in Utrecht
The national bicycle lighting campaign ‘AAN in het donker’ (Lights On in the Dark) will be launched on 29 October on Leuvenlaan at Utrecht Science Park. Between 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., cyclists can have their lights checked and repaired free of charge. André van Schie, Member of the Provincial Executive, will be there to talk to Utrecht residents about the importance of proper bicycle lighting.
Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht awarded with twelve NWO Vidi-grants
The Dutch Research Council (NWO) has awarded Vidi grants to 109 researchers. Twelve leading researchers at Utrecht University and UMC Utrecht will each receive a Vidi grant of up to €850,000. NWO awards Vidi grants annually, enabling recipients to develop an innovative line of research over the next five years and further expand their research teams.
His Majesty the King visits large-scale exercise at the Major Incident Hospital at Utrecht Science Park: prepared together for major emergencies
On Saturday, October 31, a large-scale exercise took place at the Major Incident Hospital at the Utrecht Science Park. During the exercise, dubbed “Dubbelspoor” (Dual Track), the Major Incident Hospital had to respond to two major incidents almost simultaneously. In Amersfoort, a train carrying thirty injured Dutch military personnel arrived. At nearly the same time, a coach plowed into a crowd during a Halloween celebration. His Majesty the King also visited both locations, marking the 35th anniversary of the Major Incident Hospital.