6AS NUM Tracy Glynn and Cancer Care Nursing Director Michael Smith
Everyday our staff are looking for new ways to make RBWH a better experience for patients. The Cancer Care team in Ward 6A South have set the bar high with the new space they created for patients from a relatively unused storeroom.
Like many areas of RBWH, the staff in 6A South are often faced with difficult conversations they must have with patients and their families. Until recently, they only had a very tiny room to have these conversations in that wasn’t fit for purpose, resulting in them having to have difficult conversations in the busy ward.
The team saw an opportunity to repurpose an underutilised storeroom in their ward to create a beautiful, calming space for patients and their families to use whenever they need.
The room is complete with infection control-friendly couches, calming artworks of seaside locations, warm lighting and plenty of space for families to gather.
6AS Nurse Unit Manager and project visionary Tracy Glynn said she is so proud to finally see the room come to life.
“The day that the furniture arrived was one of the happiest days I’ve had in a long time. I was like a child in a sweet shop. It all came together so beautifully,” she said.
“Our patients and their families really go through some challenging times and it was so nice to know that we have a beautiful, calming environment to have difficult conversations in.
“Having the room finally available to families was the cherry on top for me as the NUM of this ward.”
Cancer Care Executive Director Glen Kennedy said it’s great to see clinical staff working together to address a problem.
“The ward staff in 6AS have driven the project – applying for funding from the RBWH Foundation, designing the space and making great use of the resources they have access to,” he said.
“Every part of the design has been extremely well thought out, from the lighting, the furniture and the decorative touches.
“It’s a much-needed space in this ward and I’m exceptionally proud of the work that’s been done by the team.”