A year ago, on the 15th May 2015, the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales officially opened its doors to the children and families of Wales, and what a wonderful first year it has been.
Approximately 30,000 patients have been seen in the outpatients department, with around 17,000 patients admitted to the wards and 1,020 operations have taken place in the new theatre suite.
The surgical ward, Owl ward, was the first inpatient area to open in February 2015, followed by the medical wards in March 2015. Soon after this, the new, state-of-the-art children’s theatre suite held its first operation.
The new children’s outpatient department has brought speciality services such as ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat) ophthalmology, audiology and orthopaedics all together and under one roof. The dental clinic was the latest service to join the hospital, with services starting in May 2016.
Children and their families enjoy the new clinic environment with a play area to keep little ones entertained whilst waiting for their appointment, an aroma café outlet and the soon to be finished garden will be bring a touch of the outside inside.
Major developments have continued into the first year with the opening of LATCHmosphere in Octopus Radiology in June 2015, along with the Noah’s Ark hydrotherapy pool in Dolphin outpatients.
The LATCHmosphere ambient lighting system was funded by the children’s cancer charity LATCH.
Since the introduction of state-of-the-art system, doctors are reporting a reduction in the need to use general anaesthetic, and children as young as four years old have undergone MRI scans using only LATCHmosphere to keep them relaxed enough to complete the procedure.
The Noah’s Ark hydrotherapy pool in Dolphin outpatients was funded by Noah’s Ark Charity as part of its £7 million commitment to the hospital’s second phase.
The pool is used by the paediatric physiotherapy team to provide support and relief to children with a range of conditions.
The natural buoyancy and warmth of the water relieves pressure on joints and reduces pain, while the natural resistance it provides helps improve muscle strength and balance. The pool is equipped with a sensory light and sound system which allows children to control their environment using floating switches.
Also work has started on Ronald McDonald House, which will provide ‘home away from home’ accommodation for families to stay with their children while they are in hospital.
Mary Glover, Lead Nurse for the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales, is in charge of all the nurses within the children’s hospital.
Mary tells us about her best bits of the year.
“The main highlight of the last year for me was moving the children from the old unit into the new hospital. The opening ceremony was amazing and really brought everyone together. The whole first year has been great. I feel really proud to show people around this fantastic building. I absolutely love it.
“Patient care has improved thanks to the better facilities. We are able to do more for the patient than we’ve done before, there are more facilities for parents who can stay with their child on the unit, which helps as it gives them more comfort while they are here. There’s space for parents to rest and siblings to play which helps families to be together during difficult times.
“It’s hard to say what my favourite bit of the children’s hospital is as I just love it all, I feel very proud to work with such an amazing team in such great surroundings.”
Michelle Murdoch, whose son Louis is currently on Island Ward at the Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales spoke about how special the place is.
Michelle said: “Louis has type 1 SMA which is a neuro muscular disease. He was diagnosed with this condition when he was five months old when he was on Ocean Ward in the old part of the children’s hospital.
“We have had the best care whatever part of the hospital we have stayed in and had the same nurses to care for our son throughout his illness.
“Because Louis’ condition is life limiting, we are always given a cubicle, even down on Ocean ward in the old hospital. It’s important for him to be on his own as he can’t be around other people who may be poorly pass on their coughs and colds.
“The new hospital is fab. It is mostly individual rooms or small bedded bays which allow you to have your own space and privacy as a family, with your own bathroom, which makes a huge difference – I don’t have to leave Louis in the night if I need the bathroom or want a shower, everything I need is here.
“We have access to a kitchen to make a cup of tea anytime we want – things like this make being in hospital much more bearable.
“The whole building is light, bright and airy with a lovely atmosphere”.
Oliver Jones, aged 6, thinks the children’s hospital is great and his favourite place is in the playroom where he plays with Kelly Enticott, play assistant and his favourite toy is dolly.
Oliver has been in hospital for a week with a chest infection. He has been for a look around the children’s hospital and thinks it’s wonderful. His favourite nurse is Emily and he is really looking forward to going home. He also said the food here is lovely!
Mum Hayley Williams, spoke about her son Samuel, who is currently a patient on Island Ward awaiting a tonsillectomy.
Hayley said: “Samuel, who is nearly 1, has been ill since October 2015, and it has taken several months to get a proper diagnosis of his condition. Within a few days of being admitted to the children’s hospital, Samuel received his diagnosis and started to receive treatment.
“I was really apprehensive coming to the hospital as we had been transferred from another unit. It is Samuel’s fourth admission into hospital.
“When we were in the ambulance waiting to come in, I looked up to the hospital – the size and scale of it is huge and I felt really unnerved.
“When we came into the hospital, warm, smiling faces welcomed us and the nurses showed me around, they have been so great.
“Everything about Samuel’s condition is discussed with me, to my face – not behind closed doors. They make me feel included about decisions with his care.
“Shortly after I arrived, a nurse offered me accommodation at the hospital, and within two hours I had a key in my hand and somewhere to stay, I can’t believe how quickly things are done here. It’s been a lifesaver during a very stressful time.
“I can leave him Samuel and know he is safe. He’s been put on a ventilator and is sleeping much better than he ever has. He’s not struggling to get his breath anymore. The nurses care for him as much as we do. Feeling safe and secure means that I get a few hours of respite and solid sleep.
“I can’t believe how dedicated the nurses are, they go over and above the call of duty. I have built a great relationship with them.
“The new building is light, airy and welcoming with everything under one roof.
“I feel that when Samuel is discharged, if there is anything I can do to fundraise for the hospital charity to give something back to the hospital, I will.
Felicity Howard, Consultant Paediatric Anaesthetist talks about her role in the children’s hospital, she said: “On a day to day basis, there are a group of us who are involved in taking children into theatre and popping them off to sleep for their operations.
“We stay with them during their operation to monitor them and then wake them up at the end or transfer them paediatric intensive care after their operation.
“The new hospital has given us a fantastic opportunity to have an upgrade to the facilities. It’s much better and more appropriately equipped, more child friendly and it’s a much more pleasant environment to work in. Working here makes me feel properly equipped to do my job.
“The ambient lighting system is a great distraction for some children. When a child is distressed on the ward, it’s great to be able to tell them about the pictures and lighting in Octopus radiology, getting them to choose a theme or character for the lighting helps to take their mind off the procedure.
“Recently there were two children who had a CT scan that didn’t need to have a general anaesthetic as the ambient lighting and animations helped to distract them and keep their stress level down during the scan.
“My favourite bit is the children’s theatre suite, which is where I am based, and compared to what we had previously, the new facility is fantastic. It has been purposely designed with children in mind, with a comfortable reception area for parents, with toys for children to play with.
“As all staff are all together in one area, the theatre team works more cohesively together, particularly the anaesthetic side.
“I love the toy MRI scanner in LATCHmosphere It’s another tool to help children come to terms with what they are going through and understand why they are here, it’s a fantastic piece of kit.
“I always feel overwhelmed when a patient sends in a card after receiving excellent care; it’s lovely to be appreciated. Families are so appreciative of the care and treatment they receive.
Staff Nurse Marie Hopkins works in the outpatient department and tells us a bit about what she does, she said: “I see a wide variety of patients who attend clinics for diabetes, immunology, general clinics, neurological, gastrointestinal, surgical and phlebotomy – we have a vast area that we cover.
“I love the new children’s hospital. It’s lighter, brighter and airy and the consulting rooms are more spacious, so much more adaptable to suit those with additional needs.
“It’s making a huge difference to patient care as spaces are adaptable for each child’s needs. Patients are able to see multiple clinicians on the same day all under one roof.
“When you see a child who is upset and petrified about having a procedure leave with a smile on their face, it is the best feeling ever.
“One of the best moments of working here was when we opened the new outpatients department – everyone was so excited to have everything under one roof, enabling us to give patients the best care possible.”
Children on wards on Monday 16 May will be treated to birthday cake, a visit from Anna and Elsa as well as balloon modelling and fun and games courtesy of Caerleon Childcare, Llanishen.
