Creative Activity Group – Sensory Room Installation at South West Acute Hospital Emergency Department – Creative Activity Group

Nominee Information

Our collaboration with the emergency department and learning disability program at South West Acute Hospital, aimed to address the needs of patients with learning disabilities in the Emergency Department (ED), through the installation of a sensory room. This initiative was inspired by the success of our previous sensory room project at Altnagelvin Hospital in 2021 which was Northern Ireland’s First Sensory Room for Adult Learning Disability patients, signalling the potential for transformative change in patient care in a hospital setting.

South West Acute Hospital recognised the potential to improve the patient journey through the ED department for children and adults with learning disabilities and partnered with Creative Activity Group to bring this vision to fruition. With a project budget of £15K, our objective was to transform a space within the ED department into a sensory haven, tailored to support the needs of children and adults with learning disabilities, autism and sensory processing disorders.

The Creative Activity team worked closely with the learning disability and emergency department teams to identify a suitable space and carefully designed the space to cater to patients of all ages and abilities, striking a balance between functionality and aesthetics. We created an environment that felt welcoming and inclusive, avoiding an overly childish aesthetic as the space would support the needs of both children and adults. The room was designed to include a diverse range of sensory equipment, including interactive elements and soothing lighting, carefully curated to provide comfort and stimulation depending on patients’ needs.

By focusing on the principles of calming, comforting, and controlling the environment, we have successfully enhanced the overall patient ED journey. Patients with learning disabilities who may struggle with the chaotic, noisy, and often stressful ED environment, now have a dedicated space where they can feel relaxed and spend time away from the hustle and bustle of the department. The integration of the sensory room into the ED triage process has had a profoundly positive impact on patient care at the diagnosis stage, positively assisting caregivers in keeping patients calm during the diagnosis and delivery stages. The sensory room also provides huge support and comfort to the families of patients during their ED journey.

Creative Activity Group provided the SWAH team with comprehensive support throughout the project, from equipment selection to installation and maintenance. We alleviated concerns about disruption ensuring a smooth and timely 1-day installation with no impact to ED services and educated staff with the knowledge and resources needed to optimize the sensory room’s benefits.

The sensory room initiative at South West Acute Hospital exemplifies the power of low-cost, high-impact success in healthcare. By prioritizing the needs of patients with learning disabilities, we have transformed the ED experience for patients and caregivers, creating a more inclusive and compassionate environment on a small budget. This project not only demonstrates our commitment to innovation but also underscores the profound difference small interventions can make in enhancing patient care within healthcare.