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Young patients at Tunbridge Wells Hospital (TWH) will now have access to a new therapy play room in the Woodlands Unit, which has been funded by the charity, ‘Emilia’s Little Heart’.

The charity was set up in memory of Emilia, a young girl who sadly passed away following her third open heart surgery. Her legacy is the charity which aims to ensure that every child in hospital should be helped to cope with the hospital environment through play and pain distraction.

The charity and a play specialist from Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (MTW) have collaborated to maximise the room’s impact and ensure all materials meet strict infection prevention standards.

The £2,000 project features a bespoke sea-life themed wall mural, toys, books, an arts and crafts area and comfortable seating.

Patient, Yasa Muhammad, helped to officially open the room after having his face painted as Spiderman.

Catherine Rose, Paediatric Ward Manager, says: “We are passionate about delivering child-centred care and this new play therapy room provides a quiet and calming space for children and their families away from the main waiting area. The sea-life mural is captivating for adults as well as children and we look forward to lots of families benefiting from the room.”

Rachel Shaw, trustee of Emilia’s Little Heart, says: “We are delighted to have officially opened the new play room after a lot of hard work. This area will help ensure that children can see hospital as a positive environment, a way to meet other children, to explore, have fun and play.”

Sheree Marks, Play Specialist, MTW, adds: “Play can often help children to recover more quickly and reduces stress and anxiety. This room will be so important to the families who visit us and I’m looking forward to showing it off to all the children!”

Woodlands Unit is a paediatric ambulatory and day-case ward consisting of 15 beds. Children and young people are admitted to Woodlands for day-case surgery or after referral from the Emergency Department, GPs or for further investigations. Young patients who require an overnight stay are transferred to Hedgehog Ward, which is an inpatient unit by Woodlands.