Three staff break areas at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals have been given a new lease of life through the ‘Break Room Refresh Campaign.’ 

The refreshes were funded by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity at a cost of £28,800, which includes a grant of £18,000 from NHS Charities Together. 

The winning break areas chosen by the campaign’s panel of judges were Pathology, Ward 18 and Ward 24, all of which played a vital role in the Trust’s response to the Covid 19 pandemic. 

The Break Room Refresh Campaign’s objective was to improve existing break areas for colleagues to take time out and relax. The upgrades included re-decoration, new furniture, electrical appliances and minor changes, all of which will make a huge difference to colleagues.  

Over 300 members of staff work in the Pathology unit at Royal Preston Hospital, providing round  the clock services. This was extremely important during the Covid pandemic. The laboratory areas in Pathology are Containment Level 2 laboratories, this means that eating and  drinking is prohibited within these areas because of the biohazard from the samples being processed.  

The unit’s break room had not been improved for 25 years, and with heavy usage it had become dilapidated and in real need of refreshing. 

Caroline Durband, the Directorate’s Health & Safety Officer said: “The new break room is used for breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper as well as tea breaks. It’s now a fantastic, brighter, space more equipped for the needs of a large team with new furniture, kitchen units and worktops. Our charity’s investment has given a real boost to morale with staff feeling more valued for their contribution during the pandemic. The new outside seating area is also a real benefit.” 

Ward 18, the specialist Cardiology Ward, was also selected by the judges to benefit from the Break  Room Refresh Campaign. Improvements include the redecoration of the room with a new relaxing and uplifting mural, new flooring, improved lighting, a water fountain and extra power sockets and comfortable seating. 

Helen Seargant, Ward Manager said: “The break room is really helping to lift morale following the huge pressures of the covid pandemic. It offers the team a space to relax during their break in comfortable calm surroundings and feel re-vitalised and recharged!” 

Ward 24 is also benefiting from an uplift to their break room area. This has been re-decorated with a relaxing feature wall and fitted with a dining area and comfortable seating, a mirror, coat hooks and a bookcase. 

Ward 24, normally a Gastrointestinal Ward, was converted into a Covid Ward to help with the Trust’s response to the pandemic. 

Sarah Willoughby, Ward Sister, said: “Our new breakroom is a huge boost to colleagues on the  Ward. It’s calm and comfortable and is well-used by the team, we would like to thank our hospital  charity colleagues for their investment.” 

Paula Wilson, Head of Charities at Lancashire Teaching Hospitals said: “We were delighted to be able to fund improvements to the break room areas, it is great to see the notable impact they are having on improving staff morale and wellbeing following the extraordinary pressures our colleagues faced during the pandemic. We are eternally grateful to NHS Charities Together for the £18,000 grant they awarded us and also to all our supporters and businesses. Without this support, the projects could not have gone ahead.”