21 October 2016
​Charities that donated funds to Robin Ward visited recently to meet ward staff and see how their money has been used.
Robin Ward re-opened in early 2016 after a major refurbishment. The Jersey Children's Charity and the Teenage Cancer Trust gave donations to enable the walls of the children and teenager's ward to be decorated in a colourful way.
A new wet room and quiet room, as well as the designs and decorations for the ward have been funded by the volunteer-led Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal Committee.
The Jersey Children's Charity, a local charity, was asked to provide funding for the decoration of the main entrance, corridor, and play room of the ward.
Over the past year the charity purchased toys, books, and DVDs for the play room and are working on supplying colourful quilts for young patients. This year, in conjunction with Ports of Jersey, they have continued to supply 'parent packs' for those parents who find themselves staying unexpectedly on the ward with their child. So far, around 50 parent packs have been given out to mums and dads.
Major refurbishment
The regional fundraiser for Teenage Cancer Trust, Amanda Hetherington visited Jersey to see the work. She was joined by Kristin Morris and Victoria Pearce of the Jersey Children's Charity.
The Teenage Cancer Trust's design team visited Robin Ward and met with the clinical teams to hear the views of the young people treated on the ward to ensure that the wall decoration was appropriate.
Liz Barlow, Chair of Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal volunteer committee, said "We are delighted to have supported Jersey Hospital with funds to assist with the refurbishing and decoration of Robin Ward. As a local fundraising committee, it is important for us to know that for whatever reason, but especially for teenage cancer patients, our children and adolescents are being treated in ideal conditions and surroundings.
"Whilst young teenage cancer patients travel to the UK for diagnosis and initial treatment they invariably need to visit Robin Ward for ongoing treatment, routine blood tests and clinic appointments, not to mention admission to the ward should they become neutropenic. It seems fitting that we are able to support Robin ward with the new wet room and help turn an existing room into a teenage and young adult 'quiet room'."
Care and facilities
Amanda Hetherington, said "Teenage Cancer Trust, our Jersey Committee and the General Hospital have all worked in partnership over the past seven years towards our one goal - to ensure every young person with cancer has access to age appropriate, specialist care and facilities. The incredible fundraising efforts have resulted in a ten-bed Teenage Cancer Trust unit at Southampton General Hospital providing young people from Jersey with cancer with an environment designed to feel more like home than a hospital ward. In addition, funds raised in Jersey have enabled Teenage Cancer Trust's Education and Awareness Programme to be extended to Jersey schools and colleges, to help hundreds of local young people to understand more about cancer.
"This partnership is instrumental in us reaching every young person with cancer before, during and after treatment. We're currently expanding our outreach service to offer support to every young person with cancer in Jersey, which will need the ongoing help and support from Jersey residents."
The wet room funded by the Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal Committee is wheelchair accessible, meaning teenagers have fully accessible bath and shower facilities.
The Teenage Cancer Trust Jersey Appeal Committee have also funded a new 'quiet room' which has been created from an existing room on the ward, where the clinical team can meet and support young cancer patients and their families.
Ongoing support
Chairman of the Jersey Children's Charity, Kristen Morris said "The Jersey Children's Charity is a keen and ongoing supporter of Robin Ward. We know from experience as a charity that if children and their families need to spend a lot of time somewhere, then it's important it looks as cheerful as possible. We were delighted to have been approached to assist with the decoration of Robin Ward. We love the artwork the staff have chosen and can't wait to see the finished result."
Other charities who have given donations in order to help Robin Ward be a great place for patients are:
- Clic Sargent and Les Mielles Golf Club for the TV entertainment system
- League of Friends for the furniture in the parents room
- Jersey Petanque Club for playroom furniture
Lead Nurse for Children, Sister Sally Gebhardt said "It's a real milestone for the ward's new look to have the wall art finished. It's really helped transform Robin Ward and we have had some great comments on it from our patients, their parents and the staff who work on the ward. We want Robin Ward to have a unique look and a caring ethos, and everything that the Jersey Children's Charity and the Teenage Cancer Trust and the other charities and donors have done has helped us achieve this. We can't thank everyone enough. We know what hard work goes into fundraising and we are very grateful."
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