Part of the very kind donation given funded were two Splodge support beanbags which are used to help children who are less able to support themselves sit in a comfortable position when receiving treatment. However they are very popular on the Children’s Ambulatory Department and are used in a variety of ways.
Sensory equipment was also purchased, some of which enabled us to upgrade and improve the bubble tube the hospital already had. The picture above shows the bubble tube which is located in the Phlebotomy treatment room. It is in here where the children go to have blood tests which for most is quite a frightening and painful procedure. The use of the tube helps distract the children whilst they have their treatment but it also helps calm them down prior to treatment. This room is also the main home for the mobile CD player which is also taken around the department as and when needed. As with the bubble tube music is a great way to calm or distract a child undergoing treatment.
A number of mobiles were also purchased with the donation, which are placed around the department. Not only do they provide a distraction but with the pictures our specialist play workers hang up they make the department feel less clinical and much more welcoming. As I am sure you can imagine, even for regular visitors, hospital can be a traumatic and frightening experience and anything that can be done to alleviate this makes the child’s experience much better.
