A new area for children and young people needing urgent medical care has been opened at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital (RD&E).

The new Children’s Emergency Department (ED) area and Paediatric Assessment Unit (PAU) delivers a separate waiting area and dedicated clinical space for the assessment of young patients.

The calm and welcoming new space was officially opened today (Thursday 13 February) by 11-year-old Tim Harvey from Cranbrook. Tim helped launch a £200,000 fundraising appeal by Royal Devon Hospitals Charity (RDHC) in December 2023.

Born with a number of complex medical conditions, he has had more than 150 operations and is a regular visitor to ED with parents Kristy and Ralph. Tim has raised more than £2,000 towards the appeal and was named Fundraiser of the Year at last year’s BBC Radio Devon Make A Difference Awards.

Tim said: “The new Children's ED looks amazing and I especially like the games! I can't believe it looks just like the artists’ posters! The team did a really good job.

“I hope it makes patients like me have an easier time when they come to hospital.

“Thank you very much to everyone who has helped and supported the ED Appeal by donating money or prizes and for raising lots of awareness about Royal Devon Hospitals Charity. I have really enjoyed meeting lots of different people.

“I am blown away by everyone’s generosity and I plan to carry on fundraising with Mum and Dad for the next hospital appeal.”

Money raised by the hospital charity has funded ocean-themed wall murals and light panels, interactive digital equipment and comfortable seating with USB charging points.

Chris Tidman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re delighted to see this fantastic new facility open today, making coming to hospital a little less scary for some of Devon’s youngest patients.

“We are grateful for the support of our communities, which helps us to fund extra special facilities like this that go beyond what the NHS can provide.”

Rose Cohen, RDHC Fundraising Manager, said supporters had rallied behind the charity’s Children’s ED Appeal during the last 12 months.

“We can’t thank the local community enough for their support,” said Rose.

“They have helped us raise £191,600 and we still have a little way to go to reach our £200,000 target so if anyone would still like to make a donation, please visit our website or get in touch.”

It is estimated that the new Children’s ED area will provide emergency care at the RD&E for around 30,000 young patients a year.

Gavin Best, Clinical Project Manager, said the new space had transformed the way the hospital cares for children and young people.

He said: “To have an environment that is friendly, and where children can be separated from some of the other things that they might witness in a busy emergency department, is fantastic.

“Not only has it improved the experience for patients and their relatives, it has also optimised the patient pathway. 

“And having a shared working environment will help us build upon and improve the service we currently deliver. The future is really exciting.”

The opening of the Children’s ED area marks the final phase of an extensive transformation of the entire ED by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

The work, which began in 2022, has seen the ED completely reshaped inside and out with a new main entrance; ambulance bays and waiting area; eight new resuscitation bays; a bereavement suite; new children’s ED area and collocated PAU, as well as an internal reconfiguration to increase total capacity.

Royal Devon Hospitals Charity is now focussing its fundraising efforts on a new state-of-the-art operating theatre at the RD&E. If you’d like to support the Super Theatre Appeal or help the charity reach its £200k Children’s ED Appeal target, visit www.royaldevoncharity.org.uk/appeals