Teenage Lounge opens at Derriford Hospital

Last week, patients and staff celebrated the official opening of the Teenage Lounge on Wildgoose Ward.

The room was opened by brothers, Charlie and Arthur, who have been frequent visitors to the ward and cut a ribbon to mark the occasion.

With the help of Children's Happy Hospital Fund, Derriford Children’s Cancer Service, Teenage Fund, 243 Field Hospital Army Reserves and members of the public, a total of £9,000.00 was raised to refresh the room.

It has had a complete makeover and has new flooring, colourful sofas, a pool table, games consoles, a juke box and much more.

Sue Rodgers, Play Specialist Team Leader, said: “We have had so much positive feedback from the patients, their families and visitors. We wanted to provide teenagers staying on the ward with a facility that would encourage their recovery, by making the environment less clinical and more normal. I think that the room is definitely that and the teenagers have said that they feel it is more of a common room now, which they all love.

“It has been well worth the hard work involved in raising the funds and I would like to thank everyone involved in this project, including the 243 Field Hospital Army Reserves, who offered to give up their time to assist in the refurbishment.”

Lucy Burn, Charlie and Arthur’s mum, said: “I think that this room is very important Teenage Lounge opening to the ward. It is really nice to have some space away from the treatment room, where people can socialise, including the parents and families.

“The room is relaxing, everyone can chill and we can forget about where we are.”

Sue Stock, Head of Midwifery and Children’s’ Services, has invited Charlie and Arthur to display a photograph of them opening the room on the wall of the lounge, to commemorate the occasion.

Anita Dykes, Matron for Paediatrics, said: “I am very pleased that Wildgoose Ward has this fantastic room. We have received so much positive feedback about the room and it has now been turned into a relaxing space, that allows patients and family members to socialise with others, away from their hospital beds.”