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about us
What does the Society do?
The Society renders its services to physically disabled children in need of paediatric orthopaedic surgery and treatment as well as medical and nursing care for those children in need of hospitalisation. There is no outpatients department. Patients are admitted via the local clinics held at Red Cross and at various other hospitals and country clinics in the Western Cape, as well as from Eros Cerebral Palsy School, Astra School, Agape, Filia Training College and Tembaletu Day Centre.
Why does the Society need You?
Due to the economic climate it is becoming more and more difficult to meet the Society's financial commitments.
Despite all the current restrictions and frustrations encountered by the medical and nursing personnel, the ethic of services to the disabled and potentially disabled children of the community continues unabated thus far.
Such excellent performance is likely to be sharply curtailed in view of a continued reduction of our provincial subsidy, which is utilised to run the hospital.
As a consequence a ward may have to be closed and therefore fewer patients will be treated.
Waiting lists will therefore lengthen, disabilities will become exacerbated and the end-result will be far more costly to the state.
Aims & Objectives of the Society
The promotion of and carrying out in every possible way the welfare of the children suffering from orthopaedic disabilities and particularly those suffering from tuberculosis of their bones and joints.
The maintenance of the Maitland Cottage Home and any other similar institution which the Society in the exercise of its powers may decide to establish.
The co-operation with any other body doing work of the same or of a similar nature to the Society.
The promotion of and carrying out in every possible way the welfare of the children suffering from orthopaedic disabilities and particularly those suffering from tuberculosis of their bones and joints.
The maintenance of the Maitland Cottage Home and any other similar institution which the Society in the exercise of its powers may decide to establish.
The co-operation with any other body doing work of the same or of a similar nature to the Society.
A Wider Perspective
The workload and turnover has greatly increased. Maitland Cottage Home has become an important part of the training of orthopaedic specialists. There is ongoing research being done on paediatric orthopaedic conditions and many papers written have been accepted for publication in overseas journals, thus giving the work done at Maitland Cottage Home international recognition.
Admissions: 603 (1990) 761 (2000)
Discharges: 613 (1990) 774 (2000)
Average length of stay: 43.95 days (1990) 30.38 (2000)