First stage of children's ward revamp completed at Royal Hampshire County Hospital (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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First stage of children's ward revamp completed at Royal Hampshire County Hospital
4:00pm Saturday 22nd September 2012 in Winchester
Mayor of Winchester Frank Pearson opens the new children's ward reception at Royal Hampshire County Hospital
THE modernisation of the children’s ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester has completed its first phase.
The new-look reception on the Northbrook ward children’s unit was officially opened by the mayor Frank Pearson on Saturday. (SEP15) Young patients, their parents, medical staff, charity workers and city MP Steve Brine and family crowded into the reception area to watch the mayor unveil a commemorative plaque.
The £120,000 revamp makes the unit more welcoming and less intimidating for children.
The Magic Wand Appeal achieved the first phase with help from the Sophie Barringer Trust, which donated some £80,000. The trust was created in memory of Sophie, a patient at the ward, who died of kidney cancer in 2006 aged six.
Alison Hajduga, of North Road, Kings Worthy, mother of Brad, aged 14, said: “It is amazing what the staff do and the changes are fantastic, much better for the children and the staff.” Consultant paediatrician Ian Rodd said: “Today is the end of the beginning. We feel quite strongly we want people to walk into the ward and to think that this place cares about children. It looks bright and it looks welcoming.”
Consultant Keith Foote said: “We created Sophie’s Place assessment area in 2007 and that brought into focus how out of date the rest of the unit was. It was designed more than 30 years ago and the outpatients is in the wrong place.”
Mr Brine said: “This is another excellent leap forward in the updating of Winchester Hospital and I hope shows once again investment going in to secure the first class patient experience this hospital had always been known for.”
The appeal now aims to raise more than £400,000 for the second phase which will increase the children’s assessment area and to create a new outpatient's family area.
Also at the unveiling were members of the Due South Scooter Club which has also been involved in fund-raising for several years.
Adrian Hunt, of the Due South Scooter Club, which presented a cheque for £1,157, said: “The ward was beginning to look outdated. It needs modernisation.”
The scooterists’ fund-raising event was due to be held at the Fox in Fair Oak but when it closed suddenly the event was transferred at short notice to the Lapstone in Horton Heath.
