A sick or injured child who has to stay in hospital may be bored and filled with worry, but having a place to play, like the Children’s retreat space in The Prince Charles Hospital’s paediatric ward, can bring smiles and laughter back to their little faces.
This area was closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic for infection control reasons. It sat unused for several years, but hospital and foundation staff didn’t want to see it go to waste any longer.
The community came together and raised funds for an extensive revamp through The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s third annual Giving Day in 2023.
“Giving Day is more than just a fundraiser – it’s a lifeline for our hospital community. Every year, the generosity of our supporters directly transforms care for patients and their families at one of Queensland’s busiest public hospitals,” said Chloe Nguyen, General Manager of Communications at The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.
This dedicated play space, where kids can just be kids while they’re in the hospital, was reopened in time for Christmas last year.
“It’s not just about their medical well-being. It’s about their overall well-being and ensuring that they are succeeding in every part while they are here at The Prince Charles Hospital,” said Registered Nurse Rachael Patterson.
Hospital Play Space Inclusion
In addition to the Children’s Emergency Department which sees around 33,000 presentations each year, The Prince Charles Hospital also has a paediatric ward. The average stay of children within this ward is between 2 and 5 days. As a consequence, inclusions within the area were thoughtfully considered, helping to keep the hospital’s littlest patients and their siblings entertained during their stay.
Some of the most notable features of the Children’s retreat include:
- A colourful bubble tube,
- Dimmable fairy lights,
- Hand-painted custom mural by Lisa Dot Design,
- Height adjustable table and chairs, and
- Specially curated books, games, and toys appropriate for a variety of ages.
“Having a place to play means they can complete their gross motor skills and their fine motor skills. This is also about improving their cognitive, emotional, and social well-being, and we need to provide that holistic service to our patients,” said Rachel.
The colours and decorative elements within the space were selected to create a calming and inviting environment.
Materials selected in the project’s construction were also carefully chosen to prevent the spread of infection.
How the Kids Retreat Space Came to Life
The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation’s remarkable community raised funds for the refurbishment of the play area and the resources contained within it through our third annual Giving Day in 2023.
“This project was only possible because of our incredible community. Thanks to their generosity, children spending Christmas in the hospital had a place to play, laugh, and just be kids. But this space is more than just a playroom – it’s a sanctuary that will continue to bring joy and comfort to young patients for years to come,” said Chloe Nguyen.
Design and construction company, and proud supporters of The Common Good, Unita was instrumental in transforming the Kids Retreat space and ensuring the play area was ready by Christmas.
“We believe in the power of design and construction to transform not just spaces, but lives”, said Matt Lane, Chief Operating Officer from Unita.
“Partnering with The Common Good and Collectivus on this project was an incredible opportunity. We wanted to create more than just a play space – we wanted to build a comforting and engaging environment where sick and injured kids could feel a sense of joy and normalcy during their hospital stay.”
Unita was also a key player in the creation of Charlie’s Village at The Prince Charles Hospital, which was funded by the community through the 2022 Giving Day.
“Giving back to the community is something we deeply value at Unita. Being able to apply our expertise to create a meaningful space for children and their families was truly rewarding. After working on Charlie’s Village, we knew this was another special project we wanted to be part of, and we couldn’t wait to bring it to life,” Matt said.
Special Projects at the Hospitals We Support
In addition to advancing research into heart disease, lung disease, mental health, paediatrics, and ageing, we are also proud to provide support to both The Prince Charles Hospital, one of Australia’s leading cardiothoracic centres, as well as Caboolture Hospital through special patient-centered care projects.
In recent years, along with Charlie’s Village, we have also helped to fund the ICU of the Future, Sky Garden, and Memory Lane alongside many more.
You can make a difference for patients at the hospitals we support through beneficial projects like these by making a donation today.
