The Glass Building Opens its Doors

The new tower, which doubles the size of the existing scope of Schneider Children's, received its first patients this week.

Schneider Children's, the leading pediatric hospital in Israel, opened the doors to the glass building this week. The new hospitalization tower is located adjacent to the older stone building, and patients are currently being moved in.

The 7-floor building was constructed according to the highest architectural standards covering some 40,000 sq m. and doubles the physical size of the hospital. It comprises two underground fortified floors with an emergency hospital against conventional, biological and chemical warfare, the nursery - the first neonatal department of its kind in the country with 52 beds, of which 28 are in private rooms for the family and newborn - and the Institute of Dialysis. 

Each internal medicine department has been expanded by 150% and will enable both patients and parents to stay in individual or 2-bed rooms. Over and above the improved accommodation for hospitalized children, the new environment will contribute to the prevention of contagion. 

Once all patients have moved from the present building to the new glass building, renovation and upgrade of the stone building will expand services for all remaining departments such as Hemato-Oncology, Cardiology, Intensive Care, Surgery and Outpatients.

The glass building also includes a Research and Innovation Center, the only one for children in the country and one of the few in the world; the Brain Diseases Center integrating Neurology and Psychiatry; The Institute for Clinical Research of the Brain; the Eating Disorders Treatment Division; and a synagogue, auditorium, movie theater and therapeutic garden. The expanded Educational Center, which represents a new interpretation of a "school for hospitalized children", has been located at the front of the building in order to place children in a setting close to the healthy world outside. This creates added value for children through the integration of a culture of leisure, research, art, music and fun of the healthy routine together with mandatory studies according to the curriculum of the Ministry of Education. An underground parking area for 1000 vehicles is currently under construction for the use of parents and visitors.

The architectural plan of the building (by Mor-Yaski-Sivan) emphasized a "discourse with the community" as well as "an open invitation of friendship to children and families". On the eastern side of the building, a huge and open lobby was designed towards which the balconies of all hospitalization departments face. These open sections include inter alia classrooms, game rooms and therapeutic corners. Similarly, a vibrant commercial center with shops and cafes will be set up in the future on the entrance level. The "green" glass building will save energy, and is replete with green lungs such as an internal green patio and outdoor garden covering an area of 5 dunams with a spacious interior for children, parents and staff.

Dr. Efrat Bron-Harlev, CEO of Schneider Children's, stated that "the establishment of Schneider Children's set new standards and changed the face of pediatric medicine in Israel. The hospital very rapidly became recognized as one of the global leaders in its field. The founders and multidisciplinary staff created a culture focused on children wherever they may be, a unique language for children and their families, and medical practice adjusted to the needs of all children from the age of newborns to adolescence. At the same time, demand for the hospital's services grew leading to heavy work overload. As part of the hospital's strategy a decade ago, which was approved by Clalit Health Services to which the hospital belongs, my predecessor Prof. Joseph Press, proposed the establishment of an additional building that would respond to the demand and take the next step forward while reinforcing its renown as the one and only hospital for children in Israel. The glass building places us into the future and represents good news for pediatrics, as it will advance innovation and grant a different hospitalization experience both from the standpoint of the space and equipment, but also from the standpoint of family privacy."

Eli Cohen, Clalit CEO, added that "Schneider Children's is the leading children's hospital in Israel. The new building prepares it for the next 50 years and provides the most modern foundations and capability of today as well as in the future. The unparalled investment of donors and Clalit will ensure the continuation of its development and innovative practice of the finest pediatrics for every child in Israel."