Parents have welcomed the opening of new family rooms on the Children’s Ward at Royal Preston Hospital.
This is the first stage of a development designed for parents who stay in hospital with their children, and is part of a wider plan to redevelop the hospital’s children’s services.
Divisional Nursing Director for Children and Young People and Neonates Jo Connolly said: “I am delighted to see these new rooms as we are able to provide appropriate facilities for children with disabilities affording privacy and dignity.
“Parents stay in hospital with their children and having a nice environment can make a big difference to the long days and many worrying hours spent with a sick child.
“They also provide a better environment for our colleagues to work in and seeing them open has given the team a well-deserved boost.”
The new rooms offer en suite facilities, ventilation and child-friendly artwork to ensure a comfortable stay for families.
The rooms are equipped with ceiling track hoists to assist with moving patients in and out of bed, and a new system allowing remote monitoring of patient observations.
Acting Matron for Children and Young People Nicola Entwistle said: “The rooms are for children who require that higher level of care. It may well be a mum who has a newborn baby that has ended up in hospital, or it could be a teenager who is one of these rooms, and all ages in between.
“We look after a wide variety of conditions and these rooms have had some amazing feedback so far from the families.
“It’s going to make a massive difference to the experience that patients and their families have while they’re with us in hospital.”
The next stage of the development will be complete in the near future and will feature calm and safe spaces designed for children with mental health needs.
Jo said: “We would like to thank our estates colleagues and their partners for completing the work next to the busy ward and our clinical colleagues for working next to the building site.
“Everyone involved has been so supportive in helping us achieve this dream for our youngest patients and their families.”
Ten-year-old Neve Cowdall stayed in one of the new rooms recently after being admitted to hospital for treatment for burns.
Moving to the room meant parents George and KellyAnn Cowdall were able to visit together, and one parent has been able to stay overnight to keep Neve company in more comfortable surroundings than previously provided.
KellyAnn said: “We were in the room for a week, and before that we were on the day unit. Being in the room was absolutely brilliant. We were able to have our privacy and there was no limit on the time we were able to spend with Neve.”
George said: “Everyone on the ward was so accommodating – everyone has gone above and beyond.”
