The Riverbank Ward is the children's ward at Bedford Hospital which deals with acute and emergency conditions in children and newborn babies, it is made up of an outpatients department, General Paediatric Inpatient Ward and a Children's Assessment Unit.

Having to spend time in Hospital, whether it's a day or a month, is not enjoyable for anyone but it's particularly distressing for children. Various studies show that a positive healing environment can improve both speed and quality of a patient's recovery by up to 10%. Children are most comfortable and relaxed when at home. By trying to recreate this homely environment and surround them by ‘normal’ things makes it much easier for them to settle in.

Our dedicated playroom, is home to lots of fantastic toys and equipment to help keep children of all ages and abilities interested and distracted. A team of play specialists encourage play and learning through games and activities.

The playroom has recently been refurbished. Featuring a brand new sensory area to provide a bigger more interactive area for children to use.

Some of the other things your donations have helped fund include:

- A refurbishment if the Parent's Lounge.

- The creation of a 'Youth Space' for older teens to use and enjoy, away

from the ward.

The team relies on your generous donations to buy extra medical equipment, toys and other comfort items above NHS provisions. This helps ensure that a child's stay is made as comfortable and fun as possible, ultimately resulting in improvements to their responsiveness to treatments.

If you would also like to make a physical donation to the children's ward you can do this via the Amazon Wish List below:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/3380583PFMXFO?ref_=list_d_wl_lfu_nav_17

Everything purchased on this wish list goes straight to the Playroom where every donation is greatly appreciated.

If you would like to find out more about the Children’s Unit or fundraising for other areas within the Hospital please feel free to contact the Fundraising Team on 01582 718 289 or email fundraising@ldh.nhs.uk

Thank you for your support🧡💙