A COLOURFUL and welcoming environment for children is a new feature at Mount Gambier Hospital with a modern paediatric emergency care room aiming to reduce potential anguish for young patients.
The child-friendly room has been added to the emergency department’s floor plan specifically to treat children who require emergency care.
A television donated by the Mount Gambier and Districts Health Advisory committee and other visual distractions help keep children relaxed and calm during procedures which can be mentally or physically uncomfortable.
Mount Gambier Hospital emergency department nurse unit manager Sally Neumann said children often associated hospital experiences with trauma.
“The aim was to create a fun environment which provide children and adult distractions during sometimes difficult procedures,” Ms Neumann said.
“Research suggests children who undergo painful procedures need to be taken out of their bed space and this room helps achieve that.
“They are able to undergo treatment and then be relocated back to their safe place.”
Health advisory committee member Maureen Klintberg said the television played a key role in distraction for children.
“The impressions for children in hospital can be long-lasting,” Ms Klintberg said.
“If they experience something positive then maybe children will talk to their friends and pass the word on.
“As a grandparent, I am certainly aware of the needs parents and children face during these times and we hope this helps.”
Ms Klintberg believes the city’s hospital could adopt successful initiatives from other major health facilities to further develop the patient experience.
“When walking into the relatively new Royal Perth Hospital for example, it is like walking into a fun hub for children,” she said.
“It is great to have goals and a vision to strive towards.
“I am passionate about offering the best services in our region and achieving the best possible health outcomes.”
Acting emergency department nurse unit manager Ruth Lawson said the room featured video-conferencing technology and allowed communication with specialists around Australia.
Ms Lawson said it was uncommon to see a paediatric space in a regional hospital emergency department.
“We needed one as we do a lot of the procedures here and then they go to the paediatric unit because there sometimes is not enough hands,” Ms Lawson said.
“I would not say it is the norm but it is lovely to have it here.”
Complemented by the hospital’s maternity and paediatric unit upgrade, Ms Klintberg said there was a signficant focus on the journey of paediatric patients.
“The hospital has been the lucky recipient of a Variety SA $77,000 grant which will help upgrade the outdoor play area and purchase valuable equipment for the department,” Ms Klintberg said.
“We also have $38,000 in trust from community fundraising for the next stage of development.”
