DOSE OF SUNSHINE FOR KIDS JUST WHAT THE DOCTOR ORDERED
SOMETIMES it’s a dose of sunshine which does the most good – just ask the team behind the revamped Gold Coast University Hospital Newborn Care Unit outdoor terrace.
Charity TLC for Kids partnered with a crew of 10 volunteers from Bunnings to overhaul the space which now boasts play equipment, green space, shade and medical oxygen and air outlets for babies dependent on respiratory support.
Lenka Danson spent seven months at the facility when her premature triplets Phoenix, Noah and Lyrik were born.
As she had a three-year-old at the time, having somewhere non-medicalised to spend time with her was invaluable.
“She wanted to be with Mum and Dad somewhere she could play while her brothers were in sick,” Ms Danson said.
“We felt it was important for her to be there at the hospital so she could establish that relationship with her brothers but she was a toddler and needed space to run around.”
TLC’s founder and CEO Tim Conolan said the charity was aware hospital budgets needed to prioritise spending on staff and medical equipment so this was a gap they were happy to fill.
“Rather than going out away from the hospital into the park families can interact with people going through the same process as them,” he said.
“We understand how limited hospital budgets can be so we want to do anything we can to enhance the care experience for families of sick kids.”
Gold Coast University Hospital special care nursery nurse unit manager Margot Van Drimmelen said families from both the Special Care Nursery and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit could access the courtyard.
“We want our babies and their families to have access to the outdoors as part of their recovery process, and couldn’t think of a more pleasant and relaxing place to do that in,” she said.
The Newborn Care Unit has 33 cots and since Gold Coast University Hospital opened in September 2013, the unit’s dedicated staff have provided care to 4735 babies.