Dr Bellice Olima welcomes plans to create a dedicated paediatric area in new hospital's ED
The new Bundaberg Hospital’s emergency department (ED) design is set to create a special space for kids, with the inclusion of a dedicated children’s waiting and treatment zone.
Upon presenting to the new ED, children will be assessed by a nurse at a central triage point before being promptly moved through to a dedicated children’s area.
Emergency Department Staff Specialist at Bundaberg Hospital, Dr Bellice Olima, said the new area, consisting of eight treatment spaces (including a negative pressure isolation room), would provide a calm, comfortable and reassuring environment for young patients and their families.
“EDs can often be highly stimulating, unpredictable, confusing and busy environments, that are full of unfamiliar people and unusual sights and sounds,” Dr Olima said.
“Having a paediatric area that is separated acoustically and visibly from the general waiting and treatment areas, but still observable by staff, will help to alleviate some of the worry and stress our younger patients and their families may feel.
“We're also looking to create positive distraction by using bright and welcoming colours and having play facilities available while our unwell children are waiting to receive their quality tailored care.
“We’ll have a beverage bay within this area for parents and carers to make a cup of tea or coffee.
“The new ED’s main resuscitation area also includes a bay designed predominantly for paediatric use.”
Bundaberg mother Rebecca Halstead welcomed news that the new hospital’s ED had been designed to cater for the unique physical, emotional and psychosocial needs of children and adolescents.
“Young kids are quite sensory, so having access to a dedicated quiet environment is developmentally more appropriate and will help to minimise distress for young people and their families,” Rebecca said.
“During emergencies, parents and carers are also generally not packing a bag, so access to toys, televisions with child-friendly programs and a beverage bay will help to improve the patient and family experience.
“Having more paediatric trained emergency staff within this dedicated area will also strengthen connections between the ED, the new hospital’s children’s ward and Children’s Health Queensland, which is particularly important for children with complex needs that often present to the hospital.”
To read the latest on the new Bundaberg Hospital project or to register to receive updates straight to your inbox, visit www.widebay.health.qld.gov.au/new-bundaberg-hospital.