A new hospital kidney unit for children combines a unique range of facilities with an innovative ‘healing environment’.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital has opened its new kidney unit – the first in the UK to bring together surgical, medical and nursing expertise for children with diseases of the kidney and urinary system, and one of a few units to have dialysis and transplant facilities in the same clinical area.
The unit’s ‘healing environment’ for young people is also unique, featuring a large computerised Imagination Light Canvas and flat-screen TV sets.
Birmingham Children’s Hospital is a major centre for the treatment of kidney disorders in the region. Long journeys to spend four hours a day, three or four days a week, on a haemodialysis machine are common.
David Milford, Lead Renal Consultant at BCH, said: “The huge amount of time that children spend on dialysis means that their hospital environment is particularly important. Although we have always given a first-class medical service, the patient environment on the old unit was poor. Studies show that providing a relaxing, interesting hospital environment is a vital component of treatment.”
The new kidney unit, which cost £2.7 million, was based on guidelines from the King’s Fund. The walls are curved and painted in soft blues and oranges. The Imagination Light Canvas from Philips (3m by 1.5m) features 144 LED points that react to pressure, displaying coloured animations and shapes.
“Our goal is for every unit in the hospital to be as modern,” said Sarah-Jane Marsh, Chief Executive of Birmingham Children’s Hospital. “The generosity of charities, companies and our local community allows us to go the extra mile, providing cutting-edge healing environments and enabling us to stretch our NHS funds across more areas.”