Interactive 3D projections will be used to guide patients though Tayside Children’s Hospital, the chief executive of The Archie Foundation has revealed.
Speaking at a talk ‘The Untold Story of the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail’ at Dundee University on Saturday, David Cunningham said the technology will be used to help put children at ease on their way to the operating theatre.
He also said the Bucket Trail had helped bring Dundee together during its 10-week run last year — and delivered a major boost to the economy bringing a surge of tourists to the city.
More than 50 statues were put on display around Dundee last year while others were on tour around the country.
The 70 statues were then auctioned off at a gala event at Dundee Rep, raising £883,000 for The Archie Foundation.
It is seeking to raise £2 million which will go toward a twin-operating theatre at Tayside Children’s Hospital in Ninewells.
More than £1 million has already been raised.
Mr Cunningham said the sterile design of hospital corridors can be particularly discomforting for children.
He said: “The staff think it is absolutely brilliant but the children absolutely hate it. The reason is there is nothing there to take your mind off the fact you’re about to have the scariest experience of your life.
“If you’re a child or an adult, it doesn’t matter. Getting an operation is a scary thing.”
Mr Cunningham said children would ask to be taken to the operating theatre by an animal, such as a turtle and this has been made possible by new technology.
He said: “The walls are pure white walls but they have a high-quality, high definition 3D projection that’s interactive.
“If you touch the wall the fish will turn — so when a child says ‘I want a turtle to take me to my operation’ our job isn’t to say ‘that’s crazy’, our job is to say ‘that’s brilliant, let’s make it happen’.
“And so we did.
“The NHS is providing what they should provide, but this transforms the child’s experience.”
Mr Cunningham said the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail had also had a positive impact on Dundee as a city.
There was a 24% increase in visitor numbers during the trail’s run and a 40% increase in retail sales in shops near statues.
Meanwhile, the mini Oor Wullie statues that were displayed in libraries around Dundee led to a 15% increase in library visits and an eight per cent rise in borrowings.
Mr Cunningham added: “Dundee is often referred to as a tale of two cities, there are the wealthy areas, the incredible academia, the world leading science and digital and many other sectors and then there are those areas still struggling to overcome the loss of more traditional industries.
“I think the Oor Wullie bucket Trail made it one city, and I’m hugely proud of that.”
Also speaking at the event, which was chaired by Ellis Watson, of DC Thomson, was Suzanne Scott, artists’ coordinator of the trail.
The talk was the first in the University’s annual Saturday lecture series.
