ABOUT ST JOSEPH’S
A bridge from hospital to home, where we believe that every medically fragile child has the right to excellent holistic healthcare, delivered in the spirit of Christian love and devotion.
With a Western Cape population of over 6.2 million, St Joseph’s is the only non-profit institution offering this service. Located in Montana, Cape Town, it serves severely vulnerable communities. It is St Joseph’s belief that no child should be left behind because of the circumstances they were born into, or their need for ongoing care after hospital. Children should also not be confined to a hospital environment longer than necessary.
The journey of a St Joseph’s child starts at a referral hospital or a community-based facility where they are treated for a chronic or life-limiting condition. If the child is not well enough to go home after their treatment, St Joseph’s is the transitional care facility, becoming their home until they have optimally recovered. The St Joseph’s staff work closely with the referral team to optimise the recovery process.
The child’s needs are central to our thinking and practice. On average, a patient spends 6 months at St Joseph’s, receiving 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitation therapy and psycho-social support. All these services are provided free of charge.
The St Joseph’s holistic approach includes nutritional, psycho-social, logistical, educational and spiritual support to facilitate the recovery process.
The empowerment and educating of parents helps them to understand their child’s medical condition and improves medication adherence on discharge.
At St Joseph’s we believe all children should be protected and feel safe. In 2021 the Child Protection Strategy was developed.
WHY WE EXIST
There are insufficient, inadequate services for children with complex medical and rehabilitative needs who are:
• Not well enough to go home
• Not sick enough to stay in an acute hospital
Vision
St Joseph’s strives to become a Centre of Excellence in intermediate care for child and adolescent health.
Mission / Core Purpose
To provide transitional health care for medically fragile children, aligned with the needs of the time.
Values
Governance, Accountability, Honesty, Compassion and Respect
Ethos
We believe that every medically fragile child has the right to excellent holistic healthcare, delivered in the spirit of Christian love and devotion.
Stakeholders / Partners
• Western Cape Government Department of Health and Wellness
• Pallottine Association
Strategic Focus Areas
• Post-acute medical care
• Restorative / rehabilitation
• Palliative care • Respite care
• Augmented services
OUR HISTORY
1935
1960s
2024
The Beginning
St Joseph’s was founded by a group of Pallottine Missionary Sisters who came to South Africa from Germany. Their first missionary stations were schools, nursery schools, sewing classes, district nursing and orphanages. Five of the sisters started St Joseph’s in 1935, when Pallottine Bishop Francis Hennemann obtained an empty Presbytery in Philippi. Eleven patients were accommodated, with the veranda serving as a ward for those with TB.
Growing
In 1948, a 2-storey building, and chapel was added increasing the number of children who could be accommodated to 135. St Joseph’s largely cared for long-term orthopaedic patients and provided primary education, handcrafts and vocational training skills. The Group Areas Act necessitated a move to the existing premises in Montana, in 1967. Its modern circular chapel and high pointed cross is the building’s centre point and acts as a constant source of Christian inspiration for the sisters, staff and children.
Today
Today, St Joseph’s is a 175-bed facility providing multidisciplinary, transitional care for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, like Cerebral Palsy, infectious diseases, traumatic brain injury, neurology and oncology. St Joseph’s has served as a bridge between hospital and home for over 300 medically fragile children each year since 1935. The child’s needs are central to everything we do. Services are free, provided in a caring and nurturing environment in an atmosphere of Christian love.
1935
The Beginning
St Joseph’s was founded by a group of Pallottine Missionary Sisters who came to South Africa from Germany. Their first missionary stations were schools, nursery schools, sewing classes, district nursing and orphanages. Five of the sisters started St Joseph’s in 1935, when Catholic Bishop Francis Hennemann obtained an empty Presbytery in Philippi. Eleven patients were accommodated, with the veranda serving as a ward for those with TB.
Growing
In 1948, a 2-storey building, and chapel was added increasing the number of children who could be accommodated to 135. St Joseph’s largely cared for long-term orthopaedic patients and provided primary education, handcrafts and vocational training skills. The Group Areas Act necessitated a move to the existing premises in Montana, in 1967. Its modern circular chapel and high pointed cross is the building’s centre point and acts as a constant source of Christian inspiration for the sisters, staff and children.
2024
Today
Today, St Joseph’s is a 175-bed facility providing multidisciplinary, transitional care for children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, like Cerebral Palsy, infectious diseases, traumatic brain injury, neurology and oncology. St Joseph’s has been a bridge between hospital and home to 25 000 medically fragile children for over 80 years. The child’s needs are central to everything we do. Services are free, provided in a caring and nurturing environment in an atmosphere of Christian love.
