The Children’s Oncology Outpatients Unit at Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital has been transformed into a Spaceship Academy, thanks to generous funding from donors including Thomas Cook Children’s Charity.
The development has seen the previously stark and clinical ward remodeled into a bright and stimulating environment, making it more child-friendly and welcoming.
The unit is the regional centre for children and young people diagnosed with cancer. These children can remain on treatment from between six months and three years at a time, with many experiencing repeated admissions.
The refurbishment has undergone a full makeover; with the spaceship design theme running from reception, to waiting area, through to the treatment rooms and day case bed areas.
The reception area has been transformed into a spaceship control centre with the help of cladding, whilst the waiting area has been re-imagined as an Apprentice’s Workshop with an interactive space themed mural.
Malcolm Dean, Vice Chair of the Thomas Cook Children’s Charity, commented: “It’s been a pleasure to continue to support the hospital and to make the Children’s Oncology Outpatients Unit a calm, family-friendly new space that patients, their families, and the hard working staff will all benefit from.”
Young patients and their siblings were invited to help with the re-design of the unit by taking part in a creative drawing competition, which asked the children to design their very own spaceship for the wards and in turn a few were chosen and will feature on the consultant room doors throughout the ward.
Sarah Naismith, Head of Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity, added: “We’re thrilled with the exciting new look. Our aim was to redesign the space to provide comfort and distraction and aid psychological well-being for children suffering from life threatening diseases.”
The makeover of the children’s oncology outpatients is the first phase of refurbishment to make the environment better for children with cancer. The second phase will see the children’s cancer inpatient ward and the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit being transformed later this year.
