New artist impressions reveal how purpose-built facilities could transform the experience of children and families receiving hospital care.
Following the government’s announcement on Wednesday 9 September confirming £11 million in capital funding for Lister Hospital, the trust has shared artist-impression imagery of how some of the patient and family spaces may look in its new purpose-built children’s unit.
The new two-storey unit will create modern space for children receiving hospital care, including specially designed inpatient bedrooms and shower facilities planned with the needs of children and their families in mind.
The investment will allow the trust to progress its plans to rebuild and reconfigure paediatric services at Lister, creating a new environment designed around the needs of children, young people, their families and the staff caring for them.
Unlike a traditional hospital environment, the new unit is being designed specifically with children in mind, with careful consideration given to privacy, dignity, comfort and the experience of families spending time in hospital.
The plans include 20 inpatient beds, 14 consulting rooms and clinical assessment and care areas, bringing inpatient and outpatient children’s services together in a modern environment.
Elizabeth Franklin-Jones MBE is responsible for the clinical development of the new paediatric unit. The divisional director of nursing and quality for children and young people at the trust said:
With the voice of children, young people and their families, we are co-creating a unit that is purpose-built, meeting their health and wellbeing needs to ensure we keep children at the heart of the care and services we deliver.
“This new unit will also support our staff, by ensuring we prioritise their wellbeing and professional development.
“It means our patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time. This is our commitment to your children, our community and their future.”
Martin Armstrong, chief executive of East and North Hertfordshire Teaching NHS Trust – which runs Lister Hospital – said:
The impact this investment will bring cannot be understated – particularly for local families and those further afield who benefit from the care provided by our staff on our children’s wards.
I am really pleased that we have secured this investment from NHS England. It will ensure we will remain a safe, modern hospital that is fit for the future and we look forward to construction starting soon.”
It is expected construction work on the new children’s unit will begin later this year.
