Magic time for young patients at RUH Children's Unit

Young patients are having a magic time when they visit the Children's Unit at the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust – thanks to a generous gift from a former patient of 70 years ago.

There's now a new 'magic carpet' machine in the Children's Therapies Unit, which can project more than 500 moving images onto the floor, not only to entertain youngsters but to help with their treatment too. Children can chase and pop bubbles, kick footballs and play a variety of educational games designed to suit all ages.

Emily Graham, Head of Children's Therapies, said: "The magic carpet is an amazing addition to our resources. Our therapy team are using it to treat children with orthopaedic problems, and neurological and complex needs, as well as on the ward and in the hospital school. It's a fantastic toy and a piece of technical equipment that will make a huge impact on the care we provide patients and their recovery."

The projector is a gift from the will of Peter Dabney, who was treated 70 years ago at the former Bath Orthopaedic Hospital and wanted to repay his gratitude. It was arranged via the RUH charity, The Forever Friends Appeal, which manages donations of this kind.

This is the second magic carpet at the RUH. The first was acquired following a successful bid to the Trust's Innovation Panel – which supports and provides funds for projects to improve patient care and experience or increase efficiency across the hospital – by RUH Clinical Engineer Nana Odom and is available for any ward or department to use in the wider hospital.

Jan Witt, In Memory and Legacy Officer for The Forever Friends Appeal said: "Gifts in wills are a vital source of income for the RUH. Generous donations such as this make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients cared for by the RUH every year as well as the friends and family who visit them, and the 4,800 dedicated NHS staff who care for them. The funds donated often pay for additional equipment, research and innovations, as well as finishing touches and 'extras' that complement the existing high quality care for patients at the hospital."

If you would like any information, or you wish to talk to someone about leaving a legacy, please contact Jan Witt, Legacy Officer on 01225 825819 or email jan.witt@nhs.net

ENDS

Notes to Editor

• The Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust provides acute treatment and care for a catchment population of around 500,000 people in Bath, and the surrounding towns and villages in North East Somerset and Western Wiltshire. The hospital provides healthcare to the population served by four Clinical Commissioning Groups: Bath & North East Somerset CCG, Wiltshire CCG, Somerset CCG and South Gloucestershire CCG.
• The Trust has 759 beds and a comprehensive range of acute services including medicine and surgery, services for women and children, accident and emergency services, and diagnostic and clinical support services.
• In 2015 The Royal United Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust acquired the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) NHS Foundation Trust. The RNHRD treats patients from across the country offering services in rheumatology, chronic pain, chronic fatigue syndrome/ME, cancer related fatigue and fatigue linked to other long term conditions such as multiple sclerosis.
• The RUH is changing - we have an exciting programme of redevelopment underway transforming our site and further improving the services we provide. The Trust is building a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre and is now working towards a new Dyson Cancer Centre. For more details visit: www.ruh.nhs.uk/fit4future

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