Tranquil new waiting room for patients at Nottingham Breast Institute
Women attending appointments at the Nottingham Breast Institute, at the City Hospital, are now able to wait in a more calming, less clinical environment, thanks to generous donations.
When attending for breast screening appointments, patients previously waited in a typical NHS waiting room, at what could be an anxious and worrying time.
Thanks to fundraising efforts by the local community, including the organisers of the annual Black and Green Ball, Nottingham Hospitals Charity has been able to give the room a complete makeover, transforming it into a more welcoming and tranquil space.
Charitable donations have helped to fund new artwork, lighting, furniture and décor, as well as facilities such as water and coffee machines, and privacy screens.
Left to right - Lucy Spencer and Deborah Sawyer from the Black and Green Ball, artist Carole Ellis, Barbara Cathcart from Nottingham Hospitals Charity, Dr Yousar Jafar from Nottingham Breast Intitute, Shareen Maynard, Rachel Page and Jessica Faflik from John Lewis in Nottingham, all attended the ribbon cutting
The new waiting room was officially opened on 1st February 2023, with a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by staff from the Breast Institute, Nottingham Hospitals Charity, and the Black and Green Ball fundraising team whose last ball was held in May 2022, raising over £17,500 towards the room.
Dr Yousar Jafar, Consultant Radiologist from the Nottingham Breast Institute, said: “With this project we wanted to make patients feel relaxed and calm before they go in and have their screening mammogram.”
Louise Knight, Head of Fundraising at Nottingham Hospitals Charity, said: “We’re so grateful to all our amazing fundraisers, especially the Black and Green Ball – we just wouldn’t be able to fund these kinds of projects without them. This refurbishment has made such a huge difference to this space and will help patients feel less anxious and more calm while they wait for their appointment.”
Deborah Sawyer, who organises the annual Black and Green Ball with friend Lucy Spencer, in aid of the Nottingham Breast Institute, said: “The new waiting room has surpassed all our expectations. Even down to the finer details, this room will make a huge difference to patients. Before, it was such a dreary space, but now you can walk in with your head held high. It’s phenomenal.”
Take a look at the before and after photos
The waiting room before the change had a clinical feel.
A warmer, brighter and calmer waiting room for patients who are waiting to be seen.
The room housed lockers with limited space for staff away from their work.
The transformation has created a peaceful setting for staff and patients.
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