Stunning new artwork unveiled for young patients to enjoy in Children’s Outpatients Department
Children and young patients who attend Royal Derby Hospital's Children's Outpatients Department will now be able to enjoy a colourful and calm environment, thanks to a stunning transformation.
The makeover was created as part of a collaboration between charity-funded arts programme, Air Arts, Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity and the hospitals League Of Friends Group, to create a sense of calm for patients moving around the hospital.
As part of the project the entire Children’s Hospital reception area has been updated with a new vinyl floor and colour scheme in the hope of helping children and young people, as well as parents and carers, interact with their surroundings, creating adventure and distraction to ensure they feel relaxed at what can be a difficult time.
The refurbished areas include bright and fun artwork which were designed by Artist Carl Wilson, whose inspiration for the illustrations came from ideas of him exploring the world with his young son River.
Carl said: “I loved working on this project. It was great to be able to create a series of immersive illustrations to provide some escapism to patients and visitors. I hope it will provide a joyful experience and inspire imaginations.”
Despite the huge amount of work that went into the developments, it remained a priority to staff, including Project Manager Supports Officer Lisa Redfern, that the works resulted in limited disruption to patients.
Lisa said: "The overarching priority throughout the project has been to ensure that there was minimal disruption to patient care and pathways. The redeveloped areas greatly enhance the patient experience in the hospital and the new artwork has helped engage and distract the children using them, often in very difficult moments.”
Jill Matthews, Chief Officer for Derby & Burton Hospitals Charity, was keen to remind staff who see the artwork every day, that the public are supporting them.
She said: “What I’d like to remind everybody is, as you look at this beautiful scenery, you have all done so much for our patients and their families and when you look at all of this artwork, remember, the money came from people who wanted to thank you. This is our communities saying thank you.”
The revamp is one of the latest installations by Air Arts, an arts initiative supported by the hospital charity. Laura Waters, head of Air Arts said the project was the biggest that Air Arts has completed so far.
She said: "It's been amazing to see a full scheme come together to completely transform our children’s hospital. Everything has been developed in consultation with staff and patients, and the result is a calm and welcoming environment, clean and modern but also fun and inviting for children and adults alike."