Name // Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
Type of Build // Refurb and Extension
Location // Lambeth, Greater London
Products installed // Vistamatic Vista Slides
Introduction
Evelina London Children’s Healthcare is part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and is the second largest provider of children’s services in London
The children’s hospital not only cares for local families but also provides an extensive range of specialist services for children with rare and complex conditions from across south London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
With themed floors based around the natural world, rooms with views, sunlight and fresh air, Evelina London Children’s Hospital was designed around the needs of children and their families, with the aim that the hospital does not feel like a hospital.
The Project
As part of a large plan of renovations, Evelina London transformed the 6th floor from offices to become a brand new Sky Ward.
Within the ward, Sky Cardiology has 18 beds for patients undergoing cardiac management and 10 beds in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for critically ill children needing intensive care.
Vistamatic
Evelina London has been awarded a High Commendation at the 2021 European Healthcare Design Awards, and recognised as a model of excellence in children’s healthcare environment design.
The refurbishment of nine wards and clinics, including the Sky PICU and cardiology , were recognised as worthy of the prize.
Vistamatic provided 18 bespoke Vista Slide XL vision panels, offering the necessary observation, without detracting from the fun and happy aesthetic. The 820 mm x 1450mm Vista Slide XL panels were specified as the design wanted the maximum amount of natural light to filter through the ward. Vistamatic rose to the challenge and was happy to create a unique vision panel to fulfil the request. Non fire-rated acoustic glass was used, providing sound insulation to reduce noise disturbance. Operable from one side, a lever handle was best suited to execute the vision panel as the handles are chromium plated, easy to clean and suited for either hand or elbow operation.
With funding from Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity, the Evelina 1+ Art Scheme designed by Art in Site incorporated the ideas of children, young people, and staff. Part of the art project included designing special rails for the ceilings above beds, and magnetic wallpaper to allow patients to display items from home. Children and young people said this helped their recovery following heart surgery as they felt they were in a familiar environment.
An LED light display that follows sunrise and sunset by imitating the course of the day has been designed by cardiology consultants, to help with children and young people while they are staying in hospital. The installation also helps with their recovery as it encourages patients out of bed to interact with it.
Liz O’Sullivan, arts manager at Evelina London, said: “Looking after the wellbeing of children, young people and their families goes far beyond medical care at Evelina London. The environment we create through digital installations, murals, and graphics in our wards and clinics plays an essential role in supporting our families during their visits or stays with us. Our artwork does much more than create a cheery or calming environment. It can bring a sense of comfort, provide entertainment and help with recovery.”
Vistamatic is always excited to work on projects that are pushing the boundaries to enhance the patient experience, and believe that the Evelina London team is truly deserving of this commendation.
