There’s something fishy going on in the Children’s Outpatients Department at the Royal Preston Hospital.
It has just taken delivery of a wall-mounted digital fish tank, gifted to Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity’s Children’s Appeal by Keighley-based audio visual equipment supplier Universal AV Services Ltd and fitted for free by D&G Builders and Joiners. Both companies have previously won tenders to do work for the trust.
The fish tank and its fitting, which if not donated would have cost £527, was requested by clinic staff to help them successfully measure young patients’ height at pre-appointment checks. Children’s clinic manager Emily Moore explained: “Getting younger children to comply with having their height measured can be difficult.
“They must stand in a particular spot and look straight ahead. Previously, we had a bubble tank with floating plastic fish for children to look at but it broke, leaving us with nothing to engage the children with.”
Emily added: “The installation of the screen with the video of fish means we can ask the children to look and tell us which fish they can see whilst we are measuring their height. The children enjoy looking at the different scenes on the video and pointing out fish they recognise. The screen has enhanced their experience of visiting clinic.”
Shelley Townend, Universal AV Services Ltd’s marketing manager, said: “We all appreciate how tricky it can be to get children to stand still and when we were approached about the screen we wanted to help. The relationship we have with the trust is a valued one for Universal AV and we would always look to help wherever possible.”
Paula Wilson, head of charities for the trust, said: “Thank you to both companies for their help with this project. It’s much appreciated.”
The charity team’s Children’s Appeal is aiming to raise £1 million for a variety of items to bring about a raft of improvements to children’s in and outpatients at the Royal Preston Hospital, Chorley and South Ribble Hospital, Leyland’s Broadoaks Child Development Centre and other local facilities managed by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where children are assessed and treated. To watch a video explaining more about the appeal, become involved or make a donation, go to www.lthcharity.org.uk/childrensappeal