Visit to new hospital wing by Youth Forum chair

Sheffield Children’s Hospital is now just days away from opening a new wing – and members of our Youth Forum were offered an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour.

Eleanor Godhard, 17, is chair of the Youth Forum and spent more than an hour looking around the new site.

She was shown the striking new entrance, the new courtyards and the new Outpatients Department – all of which are due to open on Monday 14 November.

She was also shown around the construction site for the upper parts of the building, which include new wards with en-suite bedrooms, play areas and teenager relaxation spaces.

Eleanor said: “I thought the new build was a child friendly, but not childish, smart sophisticated environment.

“The open space and separate rooms will provide relaxation and privacy for all patients of any age.

“For young adults at the hospital the separate space for them will be really good for older patients to escape from the younger patients and focus on getting better.”

A world class hospital environment

The £40million development project will create a world class environment for the care of children and their families. Families have been consulted throughout the development to ensure their needs are considered as part of every aspect of the new building.

All rooms in the new building are more spacious and brighter. Colourful artwork has been commissioned for across the site by Artfelt, The Children’s Hospital Charity’s art programme.

Importantly, every room in the new wards also includes a bed so parents can stay with their child while they are in hospital.

Making outpatient visits easier for families

For outpatients, as well as larger, brighter spaces, the new layout will make visits far easier for families. For example, a new outpatient x-ray room has been developed so that patients can get their scans carried out sooner and without needing to travel to the main x-ray department.

Families will be able to check-in on arrival using digital screens. They will then be able to see the average waiting times on screens in the waiting area, which will also call them to their appointment – just like the flight call screens in an airport.

The hospital understands the importance of the human touch though, so on arrival families will also be able to speak to staff on the main reception desk or can speak to one of the many volunteers who will be helping families get to their appointments.

Charity funding

The hospital is hugely grateful to the community for its support of the project.

The Children’s Hospital Charity launched the Make it Better appeal in 2012 to support enhancements above and beyond the NHS provision in the development of the new wing. So far over £10 million has been raised.