Chesterman Unit Patient Day Room

The patient day room in the Chesterman Unit at the Northern General was considered by patients and staff to be ‘depressing and dated’. As a facility treating around 54 patients at a time for serious heart and lung surgery, staff were keen to make this space more comfortable and hopeful. They were keen to create areas within the room where sensitive conversations could take place with a level of privacy. Thanks to £24,117 of funding from Sheffield Hospitals Charity the day room has been completely transformed.

It’s an airy, colourful and relaxing space, incorporating a frosted glass meeting area, a wall mounted TV and coffee shop style seating. The room gives patients a welcome break from the ward and their medical worries.

Pete said, “I remember wandering down there very slowly a few days after my operation to call my wife and have a chat. I was exhausted, lonely and as you can imagine, not in the best of spirits – and to be honest the room did nothing to lift them. There was nothing wrong with it but the plastic covered armchairs and whiteboards on the walls didn’t make it a very friendly or inspiring place. I didn’t stay very long. Two years later I came back to that room as a guest of Sheffield Hospitals Charity and it was unrecognisable. The Charity’s funding had transformed the room into an oasis of calm and comfort – a place where patients like me can escape the stress and fear of heart surgery and relax with family and friends.”