A VIBRANT state-of-the-art children’s waiting room designed to take the stress out of ‘scary’ hospital visits has been unveiled at a ceremony in Northwich.
The Victoria Infirmary Northwich’s (VIN) new facility has high-tech projectors offering interactive games, like leaf kicking, sensory activities, child-friendly seating, and even a games console where kids can play SpongeBob SquarePants to their hearts' content.
The new waiting room was made possible by the tireless work of fundraisers for the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, and many attended a reception and grand opening ceremony at VIN on Wednesday, September 18.
Ahead of the ribbon cutting, skilful performed by pupils of the Grange Junior School in Hartford, Emma Robertson, head of the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity, said: “We couldn’t have done this without every single pound everyone has donated and fundraised for. We’re so, so grateful.
“It can be a really scary time for children coming into hospital, especially if it’s in an emergency.
“When there’s nothing to distract them, it can be really impactful on their experience and outcomes.
“The Charity is here to raise money for things over and above the NHS provision, so this project really fits in with our objectives.
“We’ve had huge support from the community, including individuals, businesses, schools, and charitable trusts. Everyone has really pulled together."
Deputy director of the Mid Cheshire Hospitals Trust, Dr Claire Hammell, said: "On behalf of the trust, and as a parent of accident-prone children, I’d like to extend a heartfelt thanks to each and every person who has contributed in some way to this appeal.
“Projects like this are where a lot of our better patient experiences come from.
“In terms of this impact this will have on children and families who use our services, it will be tremendous.”
One fundraiser attending the reception, Rachel King, whose three sons have epilepsy, said she’s spent so much time in hospitals with her boys the staff ‘feel like family'.
She said: “Visits to healthcare settings with children can be incredibly stressful, so this is going to make a huge difference.
“When children are calmer, they actually have better health outcomes because they can be treated in a more effective way.
“I’m sure the same goes for parents’ stress levels when they have to take their kids to their own appointments for childcare reasons.
“The VIN have been so fantastic with our boys over the years it felt natural to try and give something back.
“It’s about turning a negative into a positive.”
Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity continues to seek support for further improvements at Victoria Infirmary.
For information on how to donate or fundraise, please visit their website.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here