FAMILY ROOMS...

NEW FAMILY ROOMS
ARE A GREAT SUCCESS!

After many months of fundraising and waiting with great anticipation for the building works to be completed, the two new Silver Star family rooms on level 6 were officially opened on 5th November 2007 by Professor Christopher Redman.

The rooms, named Topaz and Amethyst, have been designed to provide a comfortable, “home from home” environment for women suffering difficulties either with their pregnancy, or after the birth of their baby. Professor Redman, who campaigned hard for the rooms and then headed up the Silver Star fundraising, felt that it was imperative for the health and wellbeing of some of the more “at risk” mums that they were able to find some time to relax in a welcoming environment and spend time with their family during their stay in hospital. To this end, the rooms have a comfortable sofa bed for Dads to sleep on, and have been furnished with all the necessary added touches such as a microwave, kettle, and toaster to really make people feel at home. Beautiful en-suite bathrooms have also been added, with excellent power showers that almost every patient has commented on!

Since their opening, the rooms have been in constant use and it has been difficult for staff on level 6 to allocate them as there are always so many deserving cases. The first patient to stay in Amethyst was actually one of the level 6 midwives, Vicky Warr. She is pictured on the front cover with her beautiful baby Eve.

Alison Wright, the Ward Manager for level 6, has commented: “I cannot really believe that they have only been open 3 months! Topaz and Amethyst have proved to be everything we wanted and more. They are in almost constant use, and as word has travelled, I have had requests to pre-book them! This of course is not possible. A heartfelt thanks from us all, including all past and present occupants. They really are an oasis of calm on Level 6, and have truly lived up to their names. They are true gems!”

Patient Comments on the Family Rooms:

‘It allowed us to treat the Room as home, but with the added bonus of the Midwives and Doctors just outside the door’.

‘The room is comfortable, quiet, thoughtfully stocked, and the shower is wonderful’.

‘The quiet atmosphere helped with my recovery. It was lovely to be with my partner and it felt much more like home’.

‘It was a beautiful room, calm and quiet’.