My Child in Hospital

The daily meal fee is €8.91. This flat rate covers all meals provided each day, except for breakfast.

If your child has supplementary health insurance, or if you are a member of the association KiB children care or Mutter und Kind im Krankenhaus (MUKI), the costs for the accompanying person can be billed directly to the insurance provider or association you specify. Please make sure to bring your policy number or membership number with you.
Please note: This applies only to accompanying persons of children aged 3 and above, as no fees are charged for children under the age of 3.

The Yellow Aunts regularly visit children and adolescents in the hospital who are severely ill or have disabilities—and who rarely receive visitors. They spend time talking and playing with them, offering comfort and companionship during their stay. Currently, around twelve women volunteer as Yellow Aunts. Each of them visits three to five children once or twice a week at the University Hospital Graz. The Yellow Aunts work entirely on a voluntary basis. This dedicated group of women has existed for over 30 years. The current chairperson is Marion Harnoncourt.

An additional service offered is babysitting for children with disabilities. For a small contribution to expenses, the Yellow Aunts can visit families at home. This service is available only in the area of Graz.

​The vision of the association Big protects Small, part of the Austrian Committee for Accident Prevention in Childhood based at the University Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Surgery in Graz, is clear: Creating a safer world for our children!

Because: Childhood accidents are not just “bad luck”—they are often preventable through simple measures. That’s why the association focuses on identifying typical accident scenarios involving children and adolescents and conducts research through its dedicated Center for Childhood Accident Studies.

Awareness of potential dangers is raised through various initiatives:

• The “Bärenburg” Child Safety Model Apartment: This space demonstrates typical household hazards and simple ways to reduce them—helping to protect children from serious and often avoidable accidents.
• The “ChildSafe Districts” project: A participatory initiative in Deutschlandsberg, Leibnitz, Voitsberg, and Leoben.
• Media outreach and lectures
• Development and implementation of hands-on child safety projects

In many cases, inpatient admission is necessary to ensure the child’s protection and to allow for thorough diagnostic and psychosocial assessment. The work of the CPT typically begins during the hospital stay and may continue through outpatient follow-up appointments.

"Help, not punishment"

Protecting the child is only possible in cooperation with the family. A key part of the CPT’s mission is collaboration with child welfare services, law enforcement, and counseling and therapy centers.

The goal of the CPT is to develop and provide tailored support for children, adolescents, and parents affected by violence, ensuring that the assistance offered is both qualitatively and quantitatively adapted to the family’s individual needs.

Mobile pediatric palliative care teams support children and adolescents with life-limiting illnesses—and their families at home. These teams consist of physicians, registered nurses, psychologists, social workers, chaplains, and hospice coordinators. Together, they provide comprehensive support to help affected families manage everyday life with greater ease.

In May 2014, the new Ronald McDonald House Graz was opened directly on the grounds of the University Hospital Graz. Located just 200 meters from the Children’s Center, it offers families with seriously ill children a temporary home while their child is undergoing treatment at the hospital.

From weekly patient newspapers with creative craft ideas to seasonal celebrations, free game rentals, and a colorful daily routine full of play and creativity – the Play Corner offers it all!

Kindergarten teacher Alexandra Schmidt and social pedagogue Laura Kohlbacher provide caring, professional support to both young and older children. With empathy and personal attention, they help ease children’s fear of medical procedures and the unfamiliar hospital environment. Illness fades into the background, emotional and physical pain are momentarily forgotten – helping to support the healing process.

Children who are unable to leave their rooms or beds are also well taken care of. The Play Corner team visits them at their bedside, tailoring activities to each child’s condition or injury. Our “Creativity Cart” is always well-stocked, so there’s something for everyone.