Local charities help brighten up children's ward

Friday 21 October 2016

Two local charities have helped give a ward at the Hospital a big makeover to make it brighter and better for the children and teenagers who are admitted.

The Teenage Cancer Trust have paid for a new wet room and quiet room in Robin Ward as well as helping to decorate it along with the Jersey Children's Charity who have also funded the work to the main entrance, corridor and play room.

Along with Ports of Jersey, the Jersey Children's Charity have also been supplying Parent Packs to about 50 mums and dads who find themselves staying unexpectedly on the ward with their child.

Liz Barlow, Chair of Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal volunteer committee, said: “We are delighted to have supported Jersey Hospital with funds to assist with the refurbishing and decoration of Robin Ward.  As a local fundraising committee, it is important for us to know that for whatever reason, but especially for teenage cancer patients, our children and adolescents are being treated in ideal conditions and surroundings.

“Whilst young teenage cancer patients travel to the UK for diagnosis and initial treatment they invariably need to visit Robin Ward for ongoing treatment, routine blood tests and clinic appointments, not to mention admission to the ward should they become neutropenic. It seems fitting that we are able to support Robin ward with the new wet room and help turn an existing room into a teenage and young adult ‘quiet room’.”

Amanda Hetherington, said: “Teenage Cancer Trust, our Jersey Committee and the General Hospital have all worked in partnership over the past seven years towards our one goal- to ensure every young person with cancer has access to age appropriate, specialist care and facilities.

“The incredible fundraising efforts have resulted in a 10 bedded Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Southampton General Hospital providing young people from Jersey with cancer with an environment designed to feel more like home than a hospital ward. In addition, funds raised in Jersey have enabled Teenage Cancer Trust’s Education and Awareness Programme to be extended to Jersey schools and colleges, to help hundreds of local young people to understand more about cancer.

“This partnership is instrumental in us reaching every young person with cancer before, during and after treatment. We’re currently expanding our outreach service to offer support to every young person with cancer in Jersey, which will need the ongoing help and support from Jersey residents.”

Kristen Morris, Chairman of the Jersey Children’s Charity, said: “The Jersey Children’s Charity are keen and ongoing supporters of Robin Ward. We know from experience as a charity that if children and their families need to spend a lot of time somewhere, then it’s important it looks as cheerful as possible.

“We were delighted to have been approached to assist with the decoration of Robin Ward. We love the artwork the staff have chosen and can’t wait to see the finished result.”

Clic Sargent and Les Mielles Golf Club donated a TV entertainment system to the ward, League of Friends provided the furniture for the parents' room and Jersey Petanque Club donated the playroom furniture.

Sister Sally Gebhardt, Lead Nurse for Children said: “It’s a real milestone for the ward’s new look to have the wall art finished. It’s really helped transform Robin Ward and we have had some great comments on it from our patients, their parents and the staff who work on the ward.

“We want Robin Ward to have a unique look and a caring ethos, and everything that the Jersey Children’s Charity and the Teenage Cancer Trust and the other charities and donors have done has helped us achieve this. We can’t thank everyone enough. We know what hard work goes into fundraising and we are very grateful.”