Royal Albert Edward Infirmary - Toys and Distraction Equipment

The Royal Albert Edward Infirmary in Wigan treats children from across Wigan and the surrounding area.

The current Children’s Outpatients’ Department is located in a windowless basement, with no access for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The hospital is shortly to relocate the department, by refurbishing an existing building that has been used as office space. All budgets are already in place for the basic refurbishment, including redecoration, installing medical equipment and a reception area.

The new unit will be bigger, much more airy and modern, with ground floor access and better facilities. However, the budget does not stretch to providing toys to make it friendly and welcoming to children.

We want to provide play equipment for the new department. The nursing staff are keen to replace all play equipment as part of the move, because existing toys are broken, dirty and unsuitable for a hospital environment. It is crucial to make the experience of visiting hospital a pleasant one for children and their families.

This play equipment is for both the waiting area and in the consulting rooms, and will help children to keep calm during treatment. Children respond better when they are engaged in play, and as a result it is easier for doctors to communicate with them and their parents.

The Outpatients’ department handles an average of 10,000 appointments each year. On top of this, an average of 5,000 siblings attend appointments, so in total 15,000 children will benefit, helping them to view a visit to hospital as a positive experience. This project will help children across Wigan who are sick or suffering from long-term health problems to have a more enjoyable experience when visiting hospital. This will have a significant impact on how effectively they can be treated, and have a direct benefit to their health.

The department treats children from birth to age 18. The hospital have asked us for toys suitable for all ages of children, as well as a TV, DVD player and Freeview box for a designated adolescent area. The total cost of the items required is £3.302.