A major fundraising appeal is being launched today to raise £2 million to help deliver a new world-class children’s operating theatre suite at the heart of Tayside Children’s Hospital.
ARCHIE, the new official charity of the Dundee-based hospital, has pledged to raise the cash to make the new suite, which includes two new paediatric operating theatres, a welcoming and friendly environment for sick youngsters and their families.
The new £6 million suite has already secured £4 million of NHS Tayside funding, which will pay for the initial construction, equipment and staff.
But the £2 million ARCHIE-raised cash will really “make the difference” by transforming the new unit with child-friendly surroundings, equipment and specialised staff that can’t be funded by the health board.
“Children tell us time and time again that going for an operation is the thing that scares them the most,” said ARCHIE Foundation chief executive David Cunningham. “Our appeal will change that for an entire generation of children, maybe even more, by ensuring that more and more local children are operated on in the Tayside Children’s Hospital rather than in adult facilities or elsewhere in Scotland.”
Dr Grant Rodney, NHS consultant anaesthetist for NHS Tayside since 1995, first contacted ARCHIE four years ago to ask if they could help.
He said: “I still remember the conversation with one of their staff when I asked: “How do I find a few million pounds, can you advise us?”
The current single children’s operating theatre in Tayside Children’s Hospital is two floors above the paediatric ward. The new unit will bring together paediatric medical, surgical, inpatient and outpatient care.
Dr Rodney said: “It’s an extension of the original children’s hospital concept when the ward was redeveloped 10 years ago. This takes us a step beyond that.
“The NHS spec would be the bare bones, the four white walls and ceilings and any equipment and revenue costs for staff.
“The ARCHIE bit is around the detail that goes into it the entrance and reception areas and how that’s made child-friendly.
“ARCHIE have concepts of taking those four walls and creating a virtual reality scene, like a virtual aquarium. This is the kind of aspirational thing that we could make a reality. It’s an incredibly exciting opportunity.”
Dr Rodney said other ARCHIE-funded features could include play facilities, more parent accommodation, and more for adolescent patients.
He said: “Another important part we hope to incorporate is the entrance. We always envisaged having an enclosed area with bright design and decor and perhaps outlets. In Aberdeen they have images of animals and other child-friendly things.
“That’s the sort of thing that core NHS funding won’t go to. That first impression coming into a hospital environment to try and ‘de-hospitalise’ it and make it a fun and friendly place to be in is important.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to gel the staff and community in a feelgood environment.”
See more at www.archiefoundation.org.uk and www.facebook.com/archietayside.