A new relaxation space for teenage patients in West Middlesex will “dramatically improve their hospital experience”, a nursing director has said.
West Middlesex University Hospital now has a dedicated space for teenagers during their stay, thanks to games company SEGA.
“We know how important it is to provide distraction and entertainment”
Gemma Brown
The company’s European headquarters are based two miles from Brentford Hospital.
University Hospital of West Middlesex is managed by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
The new play space has been opened as part of the Sun and Stars appeal by the trust’s charity, CW+, which is raising £10,000 to update the hospital’s children’s inpatient ward .
The goal is to create a more welcoming, child-friendly and bright environment for patients and their families.
The service previously had a small, outdated space where teenagers could hang out with limited equipment.
SEGA and CW+ worked with teenage patients to design a bespoke dedicated room that was opened by SEGA character Sonic the Hedgehog.
Featuring fun illustrations of classic SEGA characters, the new room also features a “chill-out zone” with beanbags.
There’s a new retro play station with a selection of board games and books to “help create a happy and enjoyable space” for patients.
“Having a space for them away from the clinical environment is amazing”
vanessa sloan
Vanessa Sloane, director of nursing at University Hospital of West Middlesex, said: ‘Our service sees over 1,000 teenagers every year, many of whom come in every week for blood transfusions.
“Having a space for them away from the clinical environment and allowing them to hang out with other teenagers, being teenagers, is amazing and will greatly improve their hospital experience,” she added.
Gemma Brown, West Middlesex manager at CW+, said the support from SEGA had been “fantastic” and the hospital team were “delighted with the finished piece”.
“We know how important a supportive environment and distraction and entertainment is, especially for young patients,” she added. “Thanks to SEGA, we can now offer this to our patients.”
Julie Metior from SEGA Europe said: “We are thrilled to be able to give back to the local community in such a fun and unique way.
“SEGA has been dedicated to bringing quality entertainment to young people for decades, and we’re excited to continue that legacy at our local hospital; we hope this new room will help the recovery of young patients for years to come,” she added.
CW+ hopes to wrap up the Sun and Stars Call soon and transform the rest of the children’s service.
Plans include a new playroom, space for “at-home” parents, entertainment equipment and technology at every bedside, and bespoke artwork throughout.
new sega teen room at university hospital of west middlesex
