150 years of hope
There are so many words you could use to describe The Royal Children’s Hospital.
Life-saving. Pioneering. Full of hope and kindness.
In their 150-year history, they’ve built a reputation for being world-leaders in treatment and medical innovation.
There’s also an overwhelming sense of community, and staff and volunteers who move mountains to help those in their care.
On September 9, 1870 the Melbourne Free Hospital for Sick Children opened, small and humble.
Today, the RCH is recognised globally as one of the world’s greatest paediatric hospitals — and its 150th birthday, we say thank you for the wonderful care the provide. Over the years, the RCH has been apart of groundbreaking medical moments, such as the separation of conjoined Bangladeshi twins, Trishna and Krishna in 2009, and the introduction of cancer-killing CAR T-cell therapy.
Share history. Innovate today. Transform tomorrow.
For 150 years, The Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) has provided world-leading care to Victoria’s sickest and most vulnerable children and young people.
Founding doctors, William Smith and John Singleton, had a vision “to help sick and injured children at no cost to families”. With the help of a volunteer ladies committee, they brought their vision to life. The Melbourne Free Hospital for Sick Children opened its doors on 9 September 1870 with just six rooms.
The story of how the RCH has grown from such humble beginnings to become one of the world’s great hospitals for children is as impressive as it is unique. It’s a story of visionary people dedicated to building something extraordinary.
