Environment and facilities
The Noah’s Ark Charity was first set up 24 years ago as a capital appeal to fund the build of a new children’s hospital for Wales. Today, we continue to fund facilities and environments where children can receive a gold standard of care.
Knowing what a profound impact environment can have on wellbeing, we respond as needs arise, supporting smaller initiatives like artwork for a new trauma unit right through to large scale projects like the creation of a new neonatal intensive care unit. Our goal is to create patient-centred spaces where families are able to be together, children feel unthreatened, and clinicians are able to do their work to the absolute best of their abilities.
A living sky screen for patients undergoing blood test
Every week, around 500 patients visit Noah’s Ark’s outpatient department, Starfish, for blood tests. Though a regular occurrence here at the hospital, it can be a daunting experience for young children, especially when they need to come frequently for test. Thanks to supporters like you, , the phlebotomy room now has a living sky screen to help distract children while undergoing procedures.
The sky screen plays different nature scenes like an aquarium, forest, beach and clouds and has been proven to improve the wellbeing of patients, families and staff.
Four-year-old Edward came to outpatients to be tested for coeliac disease after his big sister was diagnosed with the condition. Mum, Jeni, was nervous about bringing Edward as her daughter is scared of needles and taking blood can be quite traumatic for her. Luckily, the new living screen was there to keep Edward entertained.
Jeni said: “Edward was so busy counting fish and looking for sharks on the screen that he didn’t even flinch while the nurses were doing their work. It was so much less stressful than the experiences I’ve had with my daughter where it was difficult to keep her distracted for long enough to keep her calm. Edward went in with a smile and came out with one too.”
Staff nurse, Jen, said: “The screen has become a real asset for redirecting patients and has been wonderful at distracting autism spectrum disorder patients by fully immersing them in the environment on the screen. It ensures a safe and calm blood sample for everyone involved.”
