Completely renovated Living Room in Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital opened
Thursday the 6th of February is the official opening of the completely renovated Living Room in the Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital (WKZ) in Utrecht.
The Living Room of Ronald McDonald Huis Utrecht has been indispensable on the second floor of the WKZ since 2011. After all those years, the room was in need of a major refurbishment and thanks to sponsors, donators and the efforts of the 60 active volunteers of the Living Room, the result has become truly beautiful; a warm haven of peace close to the wards of the children’s hospital.
The spacious Living Room of 240 m² is spread over three floors and is equipped with all conveniences to make a visit as pleasant as possible. For example, parents can retreat to one of the nine separate seating areas to unwind, have a cup of coffee or work between hospital appointments. For siblings, there are various play areas and a real gaming corner. There is even a bedroom, and should parents be short of laundry for their sick child, the washing machine and dryer offer a solution.
On average, the Living Room receives about 1,850 visitors a month. Parents, siblings and sick children get away from the hospital atmosphere for a while. ‘In the Living Room of the WKZ, the hospital feels far away fore a while. It is a warm place where parents and children can relax and feel at home,’ says Kathelijn van Glabbeek, assistant manager Ronald McDonald Huis Utrecht. The volunteers in the Living Room are available to parents 365 days a year for a cup of coffee or a listening ear; from Monday to Friday from 8.00-21.30, and on weekends from 12.00-21.00. Kathelijn: ‘We get some lovely and nice reactions, the parents find it a wonderful and pleasant place with very kind volunteers. And that, of course, is why we do it.’
The Ronald McDonald Living Room at the WKZ is one of 12 living rooms in the Netherlands where parents and family members can find peace and quiet in the middle of the hospital, between all the examinations and treatments of the sick child. Recent research has shown that 96% of parents said they gained new energy by staying in the Living Room, and cooperation with the treatment team also went more smoothly because they could be close to their sick child.
Princess Máxima Center and International Atomic Energy Agency join forces to improve radiotherapy treatments for children
In the presence of Her Majesty Queen Máxima, representatives of the Princess Máxima Center and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) today signed a four-year partnership aimed at improving practical knowledge on the use of radiotherapy for children with cancer.
MedTech sector launches national growth plan: technology must support Dutch healthcare and structurally strengthen economic growth
The Dutch MedTech sector is presenting an ambitious growth plan today that aims to elevate the Netherlands to the European top by 2035. UMC Utrecht contributed to this plan, and it was co-presented by Carina Hilders (Chair of the UMC Utrecht Executive Board).
Parking rates at Utrecht Science Park to change from 1 January 2026
From 1 January 2026, parking rates at Utrecht Science Park will be adjusted. The Municipality of Utrecht and the owners of the publicly accessible parking facilities at Utrecht Science Park have reached a joint agreement on this.
Wennink plan: Life Sciences and biotechnology are important growth drivers for the earning capacity of the Netherlands
The Dutch Life Sciences and biotechnology sector can make a much larger contribution to the Netherlands’ economic strength. This is shown in a new growth strategy presented today as part of Peter Wennink’s advisory report. The report also highlights Utrecht Science Park as one of the key innovation locations and sources of progress and growth.