Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services
Nurses Maddie, John and Alison in the new Canberra Hospital Emergency Department children’s area, which opens on 17 August.
When Canberra Hospital’s new, larger Emergency Department (ED) opens this month, it will include a dedicated emergency area for children.
This special unit’s design has children and families front of mind.
There, children, families and carers can stay together in an area separate to the rest of the ED.
This will help meet patients’ medical and psychosocial needs, as well as those of their families and carers.
The children’s emergency area will have a separate triage and waiting area.
In addition, an interactive display and access to an outdoor play courtyard will offer kids a welcoming, positive environment while they wait for treatment.
Treatment rooms will be equipped with distraction therapies. There will also be a sensory room – a calming, reassuring space for neurodiverse patients and those with other special needs.
“The emergency department can be an overwhelming place for paediatric patients,” Alison, an Emergency Department nurse, said.
“Having such welcoming space and activities to do while waiting will make a big difference for them,” she said.
The ED is planned to move to the new Critical Services Building – Building 5 at Canberra Hospital – on 17 August.
Find out more at Built for CBR.
Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter: