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In
1992 the Pied Piper was founded by Peter Hickman who recognised
the need for purpose built hospital facilities for children's care
at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
At
present, the two children's wards and outpatient's departments are
in Victorian buildings a third of a mile away from the main hospital.
Initial
pledge
In
1999 the Pied Piper Appeal pledged £1.2 million and enabled
the new Children's Centre to be built.
 It will be the newest children's hospital
for miles around and will be the most modern for years to come. |
| Appeal
chairman Peter Hickman
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Today
that vision has nearly been reached and the new centre is due for
completion in September 2004.
Appeal
chairman Peter Hickman said: "It will be the newest children's
hospital for miles around and will be the most modern for years
to come.
"This
is the best thing that has happened to Gloucestershire!"
State
of the art
The
specially designed building will have state of the art equipment,
bright spacious wards, separate facilities for young children and
teenagers and a relative's room.
The
opening of the centre will also mean that fewer children will have
to travel to Birmingham and Bristol for treatment.
More
funds needed
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| Art
on walls and floors will enhance visitors experience |
Now
appeal organisers are asking Gloucestershire residents to dig deeper
in their pockets to raise another much needed £800,000 to
help provide essential equipment and facilities that the NHS would
like but cannot afford.
Peter
Hickman explained: "So much has been achieved already. I know
we can rely on the continuing generosity of the people of Gloucestershire.
"We
are now firmly focused on raising the additional £800,000
we need to provide vital equipment.
These
are things which the hospital wants but simply can't afford."
Money
well spent!
The
latest stage of The Pied Piper Appeal aims to raise funds to provide
the necessary vital equipment, additional building and other enhancements.
These extra enhancements will include educational toys, play areas
and arts enhancements.
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| Artist's
impression of the bubble tower |
Jane
Willis, Arts Coordinator for the Gloucestershire Hospital's NHS
Trust, explained what arts enhancements are.
She
said: "Arts enhancement is the term used to describe the use
of arts to improve a patients environment. At GRH our arts enhancements
project is called Leading the way and includes art commissions and
interactive arts projects."
Other
equipment will
include:
- a proposed mobile IT unit
- audio and sensory therapy equipment and arts enhancers
- Couches in the form of animals to cause a talking point
- child friendly blood pressure monitors and stethoscopes that
look more like soft toys than medical equipment
- Eye and ear equipment disguised as toys to put a child more
at ease
- Providing
family friendly areas in hospital to allow parents and carers
to stay closer to their children.
- Funding
creative projects and entertainment programmes for children in
hospital to keep boredom at bay.
 |
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Examples
of child friendly equipment
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Jane
continued, "Hospitals can be frightening places for children.
"These
enhancements will create a child friendly environment which will
reassure, welcome and stimulate families. They will divert children's
attention from pain and treatment and will help alleviate boredom."
How
you can help the Pied Piper Appeal
Make a
donation
- Organise
an event for your company, school, club or community organisation.
- Volunteer
your time - become an appeal co-ordinator or give talks to help
publicise the charity’s activities.
If
you cannot be actively involved become a Friend of the Pied Piper
Appeal
To
find out more about all the above call 01452 394119 or visit
the website:
Article
by Nat Hall
If
you would like to comment on this story get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
or have your say on our
|
Over
the last decade the Pied Piper Appeal have been raising funds to build
a special children's centre at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. But
they need to raise another £800,000 to finish the job.
