In 1956 the hospital opened its doors as a dedicated and highly specialised children's healthcare facility. It is a living memorial for soldiers who died in WWII.

From all nine provinces and from all over Africa, children are referred to the institution to receive comprehensive specialist paediatric services.

It is a referral hospital - patients are referred from clinics and smaller hospitals - before being admitted to the tertiary institution. The hospital is active in paediatric outreach and support programmes across South Africa.