Wall and ceiling decorations have transformed Maidstone Hospital’s Short Stay Surgery Unit to make it less daunting for their youngest patients.

Thanks to funding from the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends, a marine-themed wall now brightens up the recovery bay used by young patients after surgery, and decorated ceilings in two anaesthetic rooms have created a calm and visually engaging environment for children before they go in to theatre.

The creative initiative was coordinated by Lead Theatre Practitioner, Marie Mainoo-Mlileomor to ensure the artwork would appeal to younger patients.

Families are already describing the spaces as far more welcoming, with the bright, child-friendly images easing their anxiety and their children’s worries around surgery.

Parents mentioned they could see their children were drawn to the pictures when visiting them in the recovery room, providing a helpful and comforting distraction from the medical environment.

One parent commented: “It’s clear a lot of thought has gone into making this space child-friendly, the artwork really helped us during a stressful day.”

Chair of the Maidstone Hospital League of Friends, Sue Sullivan said: “The League of Friends are pleased to have recently been able to fund artwork to be placed in MSSU at our hospital and today we had the pleasure of viewing the finished work. It was an impressive sight and it is really nice for us to know that this has been met with great enthusiasm by the staff and patients.”

The Trust’s Head of Charity and Fundraising, Claire Ashby said: “We know how important it is to create the right environment for our young patients. By transforming the recovery bay and anaesthetic rooms into calmer, more welcoming spaces, we’ve made a real difference to their experience of care.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with the results and deeply grateful to the League of Friends for supporting this project.”