UHNM Charity funding helps to improve hospital experience of younger patients

Children and young people attending appointments at the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s Child Development Centre are benefitting from a brighter hospital experience thanks to UHNM Charity funding.

The walls of the reception and waiting area at the Centre, which is part of Staffordshire Children’s Hospital at Royal Stoke, have been given a new lease of life using giant wall murals.

UHNM Charity has also helped refurnish the reception area with comfortable and colourful sofas and chairs.

Dr Caroline Groves, Consultant Paediatrician said: “The Child Development Centre is a specialist centre for patients with learning disabilities and autism who find it really difficult to come to the hospital. We tailor the whole environment so they have a positive experience, so when it comes to being admitted, its not as challenging for them.

“The Centre has been quite plain however when it comes to decorations in corridors and other public areas, and in the past, we’ve had to make or provide our own. So when we saw there was an opportunity for UHNM Charity to support the purchase of wall murals, we felt it would be really beneficial to our patients and their families.

“They have really loved them. A lot of patients are already calmer when they’re in the waiting rooms as they’ve got something colourful and beautiful to look at. It’s been really beneficial for our group of patients who struggle to come to clinic.

“The new installations have also brightened up the days of our staff, and the sloth, part of the jungle scene, makes us smile every morning.”