Refurbishment work is underway to transform a children’s cancer ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital. 

Funded through donations to The Children’s Hospital Charity, patients will soon have a bigger, brighter space for their treatment for cancer, leukaemia and blood disorders.

To enable work to get underway, the existing ward moved into a new space in the hospital this week – from Ward 6 to Ward 7.

Ruth Brown, acting chief executive at Sheffield Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We’re so excited to get started on transforming this ward. 

A supportive environment

“The children who need Ward 6 often need to stay with us a long time – sometimes more than a year – so the environment makes so much difference to them. 

“We already have amazing colleagues supporting children and their families and this work will bring the space and facilities to the same high standard.”

The new ward is the principal treatment centre for children with cancer and leukaemia, from babies through to 19 year olds from across South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and North Derbyshire.  

Connecting to nature

As well as a larger, brighter space, there will be a bigger and better playroom situated in the heart of the ward.

This will maximise the view of Weston Park, making patients feel connected to the outside while they are undergoing treatment. 

There will also be improved spaces for parents to stay with their children. 

Other features include improved storage and space for computer workstations, specialised visual aids and multimedia equipment, and more space to accommodate patients with or without walking aids, in a wheelchair, or who require assistance.

The work is part of a wider transformation of services at the hospital, with three new wards and a new outpatient department having opened in 2018, followed by a safeguarding support unit in 2019. 

The trust also has plans to redevelopment the emergency department and construct a helipad at the site.