Designs for children’s theatre suite unveiled

Oor Wullie Bucket Trail helping fund ‘first-class facility’ for youngsters at Ninewells

Initial designs for a world-class children’s theatre suite in Tayside have been revealed.

The dedicated paediatric unit includes a twin operating theatre that will double the number of children that can be treated at the children’s hospital in Ninewells each year.

NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government are funding the operating suite while charity the ARCHIE Foundation is in a £2 million fundraising drive to help make it as comforting for children and their families as possible. More than half the sum has been raised – with last year’s Oor Wullie Bucket Trail contributing £883,000 to the fund.

Lorna Wiggin, chief operating officer of NHS Tayside and the project sponsor, said: “Our collaboration with the ARCHIE Foundation will undoubtedly provide a first-class facility for children and young people receiving surgical care in the new Children’s Surgical Suite within Tayside Children’s Hospital.”

Initial designs for the world-class children’s theatre suite being created by NHS Tayside and the ARCHIE Foundation at Ninewells Hospital have been revealed for the first-time.

The dedicated paediatric unit will include a twin operating theatre suite at Tayside Children’s Hospital in Ninewells that will allow significantly more children to receive their surgery in a dedicated paediatric environment.

The design images show a ward space that is bright and spacious, with access to outside play space.

There are plans for play areas for children of all ages, and a parents’ room which also leads outdoors.

Crucially, the twin surgical suite will mean the operating capacity is doubled, allowing dental operations to take place in the Children’s Hospital too.

The new surgical facilities will cost around £6 million and are being paid for by the Scottish Government and NHS Tayside, but the ARCHIE Foundation is raising £2m to provide ancillary facilities to make the suite as attractive and effective as possible for the children and families who will be using it.

More than half of the funds have already been raised, with last year’s hugely successful Oor Wullie Bucket Trail contributing £883,000.

The designs, developed by RDA Architects, were created in consultation with clinical staff, patients, families and carers who use the current Dental Area 2A and Ward 30.

Lorna Wiggin, chief operating officer of NHS Tayside and the project sponsor, said: “I am delighted with the progress being made in the planning for the Children’s Surgical Suite.

“The outline plans have been drawn up following extensive input from clinical staff of all disciplines and a number of workshops with families.

“The momentum of the project will continue into the next phase which will see the design develop in more detail.”

RDA Architects director Kirk Stewart said: “We have had several successful workshops, including a patient and family group, which have all proven extremely beneficial to inform certain aspects of the design concept and the children’s experience.”

Dave Tipping, director of projects for the ARCHIE Foundation, said: “The layout will provide a clear journey for children and their families, from pre-op through to surgery and into recovery with lots of space for play inside and out.”

The next stage of the process will be to add the details to each of the rooms and areas within the proposed layout.

ARCHIE Foundation chief executive David Cunningham said: “This is a really exciting stage for the Children’s Theatre Suite Project. The fantastic design images and fly-through video will help people see just what they are raising money for and the difference it will make to local children.”

The anaesthetic room.

The design images show a ward space that is bright and spacious, with access to outside play space.