Hospital opens sensory rooms for patients

Becky Brumpton (R) with her family and staff from the Royal Liverpool University Hospital that helped to implement Archie's Place

Two new sensory rooms have been built at a city hospital following an increase in neurodivergent patients.

The suites at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital have been designed to help patients with autism and ADHD feel comfortable when they are waiting for surgery.

Funded by Liverpool University Hospitals Charity, they were inspired by a similar room at Arrowe Park Hospital, which was funded by Becky Brumpton, whose son is autistic.

Ms Brumpton said her aim was to ensure "no-one fears hospital admission and that they can be safe in the knowledge that their needs will be accommodated”.

Following her son's diagnosis at the age of three, Ms Brumpton said she was aware there were facilities available for young people, but there was a lack of any for adults.

“We have seen first-hand how adult sensory rooms can hugely reduce the barrier individuals with additional needs encounter when accessing healthcare," she said.

“I have worked closely with the team to help educate them on how these small environmental changes will make a significant difference to those attending the department."

The rooms are designed to help adult patients with additional needs while they wait for their surgery

The rooms, named Archie’s Place, boast specialist visual and sound facilities such as colour changing wall panels, plinths with fibre optic lights, wall projectors and interactive sound panels and special soft furnishings.

Sue Ryan, divisional nurse director for surgery at the Royal, which is part of Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said the rooms were a "fantastic addition".

She said the goal was to roll out Archie’s Place across all of the trust's sites.