Military Cross Award for Naval Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt

Children take
the plunge into
new aquatic
themed unit
When children enter the Children and Young People’s
Theatre Suite they could be forgiven for thinking they had
walked into the National Marine Aquarium! The department,
which was previously used to treat adults, has been given a
fantastic new makeover to transform it into a child friendly
area.
Dull and plain walls have been brought back to life with
underwater creatures and exciting murals based around an
aquatic theme. New furniture and facilities have also helped
create a vibrant and outstanding young persons unit.
Dr Anna Johnson, Consultant Anaesthetist, explains: “It is very
important that the environment is non-threatening and is as
relaxing as possible for children during what can be a stressful
time. Distraction is vital so that they are not worrying about the
impending surgery.
“Certainly, children do now appear more relaxed and less
agitated when they arrive in the anaesthetic room. We also have
iPods in the anaesthetic rooms filled with lots of video clips from
Barbie to Dr Who,
sport and children’s
TV programmes,
which work brilliantly
at keeping the
children’s’ minds
occupied.”
Even infection control
has been made more
child friendly and
incorporated into
the aquatic theme
with a giant crab
table housing the
disinfectant hand gel
at the entrance to the
unit.
10
Artist Paul Farrington has worked closely with staff and children
to create a brighter and more welcoming environment for all of
the users of the unit. This has been achieved through stunning
murals and artwork on both the exterior of the department as
well as the waiting lounges and theatre walls.
The Children’s Theatres treat patients of all ages ranging from
newborn to teenagers and the new department’s design
caters for the whole range of patients using the unit. There is a
dedicated waiting room for younger patients with bright colours
splashed all over the walls. Colourful new furniture as well as a
huge array of toys will help to keep youngsters entertained whilst
in the department.
Older children can relax in a separate lounge with beanbags and
a big screen television as well as table football to keep them
entertained. There is a Nintendo Wii within the lounge to relieve
boredom during waits. Another artist Tony Walker has continued
the aquatic theme within this lounge with a cool surf style mural
and trendy wall prints.
Feedback from both staff and patients has been extremely
positive and the unit’s makeover has resulted in an environment
that keeps young people relaxed and entertained prior to surgery.
Autumn 2009 Cascade