New look for children’s psychology rooms

10 September 2024 - The therapy areas have been refurbished to create a calming environment for our young patients

Thanks to funding from the King’s College Hospital Charity, the children’s psychology rooms at Denmark Hill have been transformed into a calming oasis.

The newly named Park Room has a vista of Ruskin Park across the wall, and the Jungle Room was created following a workshop with both staff and young inpatients who helped illustrate the animals and contribute to the overall design. Bright new furniture has also been installed in both rooms to ensure they are comfortable.

The psychology service supports 1,200 patients a year across a range of paediatric services, with a particular focus on supporting children coming to terms with potentially life-changing conditions, such as those diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The team also supports children with anxiety and depression, and they play an important role in the delivery of our Complex Excess Weight clinic, as part of a multi-disciplinary team, advising children and young people about their eating habits, and life-style changes.

In addition to patient areas, one staff area, the newly named Garden Room, has also had a facelift. It had once been used as a storage facility but has been transformed into a light and bright space, complete with furniture for colleagues to work and hold meetings.

Dr Jonathan Hind, Clinical Director for Child Heath, said: “The whole service would like to say a big thank you to the KCH Charity for enabling these works to take place. Prior to the refurbishment, the rooms were uninspiring, but they have been transformed into bright, calming spaces for our patients to receive care, and for colleagues to work.”

King’s Chief Executive, Clive Kay, came to see the newly decorated rooms and to talk to staff about the service they provide.