Young patients treated to new waiting room

Revamp funded through chairty

Work to revitalise a hospital waiting area for some of Exeter’s youngest patients has reached another major milestone. 

A new area for teenagers was officially opened in the children’s outpatient department at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E) on Monday 18 November 2024.

Beach-themed wall, celling and floor graphics, and comfortable seating installed with USB charging points, has been designed to help create a calmer, more engaging environment for older children.

It is the second phase of a project to transform the children’s outpatient department at the hospital. The first phase, which included a new entrance corridor and beach huts featuring a play cooker, books and interactive screen for younger children, was completed in 2020.

The work has been funded through donations to Royal Devon Hospitals Charity’s Starfish Appeal, as well as a major contribution from the Angela Gallagher Memorial Fund.

The charity (then known as the RD&E Charity) started the appeal in 2019 but it was a chance meeting with Angela Gallagher trustee Di Moss that helped kick-start ambitious plans to redesign the children’s outpatient department, last refurbished around 25 years ago.

Mrs Moss, said she was visiting the RD&E with her late husband when she noticed how outdated the old area looked.

“It was quite tired looking so I approached the hospital charity to ask if we could do something to help make a difference.

“Our fund’s primary aim is to support charities that benefit children so it has been a privilege to support this wonderful project at the RD&E,” added Mrs Moss, who cut the ribbon to officially open the new-look area with Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Sam Higginson.

The Angela Gallagher Memorial Fund has contributed £145,000 towards the project and on Monday, pledged a further £50,000 to complete the final phase, a refurbishment of the phlebotomy room, where young patients have blood samples taken.

Debbie Allen, Royal Devon Hospitals Charity community fundraiser, said: “We’re so grateful to Di and the Angela Gallagher Memorial Fund trustees for helping us to deliver this exciting project and for providing the funds to add the final piece of a very special puzzle.

“We’d also like to thank the local community for their support of our Starfish Appeal. Their generosity has also been key to the creation of this bright and engaging new space that is allowing children and their families to play in an environment that takes them away from what will already be an anxious and stressful time. 

“This, along with the new-look jungle-themed corridor that opened on Bramble Children’s Ward earlier this year, and the fundraising we are doing for the new children’s emergency department, will make a world of difference for young people visiting the RD&E for many years to come.”