Clinical Nurse Kathleen Fry
Redland Hospital’s Lamb Ward treatment room has made a splash with a calming ocean-inspired makeover led by Clinical Nurse Kathleen Fry.
The room now invites children into a fantasy sea world, with playful decals, fresh paint, and a dimmable light switch designed to create a calming and imaginative environment for our youngest patients.
“Creating a space like this helps children relax, which is so rewarding,” Kathleen said. “We wanted to bring a bit of fun and Bayside’s love for the ocean into the hospital.”
Kathleen said the once-sterile room, used for medical procedures like cannulations and blood transfusions, could be intimidating for children.
She said the space now provided a friendly distraction - where they could search for sea creatures or count the different types of fish.
Kathleen shared her excitement about how the makeover also supported children’s well-being.
“They can go on a little ocean adventure, spotting dolphins, turtles, and starfish on the walls. It’s all about making them feel more at ease and turning a scary moment into something engaging or distracting.”
She said the room also featured a new TV to keep older patients entertained.
“We were able to do this makeover thanks to the support of the Redland Hospital Fund which is amazing. It’s really nice for the community to know they are helping us create kinder spaces to care for children."
Redland Hospital Fund Community Partnerships Manager Ellen Dann said the fund existed as a way for grateful patients and their families to say thank you for the outstanding care they had received at Redland Hospital.
“When you choose the Redland Hospital Fund as your place to give, you enable us to support these kinds of projects that makes patients' time in hospital easier and contributes to improved outcomes,” she said. “This incredible project for the Lamb Ward would not have been possible without the members of the community who have donated so generously.”
Donations to the fund can be made through via Redland Hospital Fund