In the renovated intensive care unit of the WKZ parents will soon be able to be with their sick child day and night
In their pediatric and neonatal ICU wards, the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital is making the switch from ward nursing to single rooms, with the option for parents to be with their sick child 24/7. This offers both the children and their parents more peace, space and privacy.
The parent-child rooms are part of a major renovation at the WKZ. Construction has begun and the wards will open in phases in 2026 and 2027. In total, the new rooms will allow about 3,500 families a year to be together day and night. The demand for parent-child rooms in the WKZ came not only from parents, but also from the medical staff, says Jorien Huisman. She is director of the Friends UMC Utrecht & Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital Foundation. Research shows that treatment in a private room with fewer stimuli contributes to faster recovery of the child or baby, she explains. Furthermore, this type of room is good for better bonding between parent and baby, for example because skin-to-skin contact is easier.
Huisman describes what the rooms should look like. On one side of the room will be all the medical equipment needed to treat the child. On the other side will be the parents’ area. That will include a bed and a closet. Through a fundraiser, the WKZ hopes to eventually pay for all the furniture in the rooms.
For more information or a donation go to: https://vriendenumcutrecht-wkz.nl/ouder-kindkamers/
Ronald McDonald House Utrecht presents plans for new, larger House with 50 rooms
Ronald McDonald House Utrecht is building for the future. At Utrecht Science Park, next to the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital and within walking distance of the Princess Máxima Center, Ronald McDonald House Utrecht has advanced plans to build a brand new, sustainable House with 50 guest rooms. Preparations are well underway, and construction is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026. The goal is to open the new House sometime in 2028. This expansion will allow the House to offer more families of seriously ill or care-intensive children a warm home, allowing them to be close to their sick child day and night.
Utrecht Science Park start-up Beephonix grows with the help of student workers
Utrecht Science Park start-up Beephonix is growing with support from student workers via Topselect, using its patented microphone technology for hearing implants and drone detection.
Royal honour awarded to Anton Pijpers at his farewell
At his farewell, Anton Pijpers was appointed Officer in the Order of Orange-Nassau and received multiple distinctions recognizing his exceptional contributions to Utrecht University and the region.
Utrecht Science Week anniversary edition a great success
The fifth edition of Utrecht Science Week was a resounding success! With more programs, locations, speakers, and visitors than ever before, we look back on an exciting week. The variety of programs and the diverse audience were wonderful to witness. This way, the groundbreaking research here at Utrecht Science Park isn’t kept behind closed doors, but is given the opportunity to inspire others.