Children across the Waitematā health region, including many from the North Shore, are now welcomed into a brighter, more welcoming environment when coming to Waitākere Hospital for their surgery.

The Day Stay Surgery Unit, which cares for up to 60 children each week for dental and ear, nose and throat (ENT) procedures, has recently undergone a transformation. For many young patients, a hospital visit can be an anxious experience, especially for those who are fasting before surgery or feeling nervous about what’s ahead.

Thanks to the generous support of the Hector Hospital Trust, which runs markets every fortnight at both North Shore and Waitākere hospitals, the children’s waiting area has been completely refurbished. What was once a plain, clinical space has been transformed into a colourful, comforting environment designed to help young patients and their families feel at ease. The space now has wonderful jungle animal decals on the walls, more comfortable seating, and lots of new distraction aids and calming activities for use pre- and post-surgery. Children can now follow a trail of colourful birds as they are wheeled into the operating theatre; a fun and great distraction to reduce pre-surgery nerves. Post-surgery, the nursing team can utilise the new portable TVs, iPads, noise-cancelling headphones and games as patients recover.

These thoughtful changes are more than cosmetic. Reducing anxiety before surgery has been shown to support smoother recoveries and better overall outcomes, and children are therefore less likely to experience distress and retain a more positive memory of their hospital stay – something that matters to families and staff alike.

This project is a wonderful example of how thoughtful design and community support can make hospital experiences easier for young patients, no matter where in the Waitematā region they call home. If you’d like to help us continue to reimagine hospital spaces, whether through a financial gift or an in-kind donation, your support will make a tangible, positive difference to those in our community who find themselves in hospital.

Donate here today: wellfoundation.org.nz
Well Foundation is the official charity of North Shore and Waitākere Hospitals
09 447 0138 
info@wellfoundation.org.nz 
wellfoundation.org.nz