Super new ward is smiles better

HAPPY birthday to you . . . a celebration was held to mark the first anniversary of the Royal Oldham Hospital's children's ward.

The ward moved to new premises 12 months ago and is now situated in the £44 million women and children's supercentre.

Since November 4, last year, 850 children have been treated as in-patients and 4,700 have attended the paediatric observation and assessment unit.

To help celebrate its successful first year, staff, children and parents held a party where they were entertained with a magician and face painter. Guests also tucked into a giant birthday cake.

The paediatric service has 33 beds including in-patient services, day-case facilities and paediatric observation and assessment services.

The ward is brightly decorated and offers accommodation for children and families with ensuite four-bedded bays and individual rooms, a modern play room, an outdoor play area, a sensory room and a parents/visitors' sitting room.

Yvonne Tunstall, divisional nurse manager for children's services at the Trust, said: "Our new facilities and new equipment offer children and families high quality care in a modern, bright and spacious environment, which were designed with input from children being treated in the hospital."