Children’s A&E gets £300,000 makeover
HOSPITAL managers hosted a thank you visit for a charity which has helped to make sure the new children’s emergency department (ED) at Leicester Royal Infirmary is extra special.
The Thomas Cook Children’s Charity has donated £300,000 to the new department which opened in April this year.
The cash has paid for specially designed play areas including interactive floors to keep children amused.
There are also a number of sensory rooms and a portable sensory trolley so that staff can treat children in a calming environment.
In addition to colourful desks and walls adorned with a variety of colours and patterns designed specifically with children in mind there is a special waiting area for teenagers and there are plans for a changing area, complete with hoist, for adolescents.
Dr Sam Jones, paediatric emergency medicine consultant and head of the children’s emergency department, said: “Our new dedicated department is one of the busiest in the country and has been designed to meet the needs of children and young people.
“It has benefited greatly from the enhancements funded by the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.
“When a child comes into the ED, it can be a daunting and frightening process but the play areas, interactive floors and wall decorations can ease this stress and help turn the patient experience into a positive one.”
Debbie Adlerstein, head of business development at Leicester Hospitals Charity said: “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity and would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has donated to it.
“The enhancements in the ED are brilliant and make the department a more welcoming and relaxed place for children to visit.”