A new purpose-built physical therapy facility for children and young people has opened at Ormskirk Hospital.
‘Milestones’, based at Bickerstaffe House provides physiotherapy and occupational therapy to under 19s. Previously based in the Child Development Centre at Ormskirk Hospital, the service has moved to a more appropriate and bespoke location.
The new space has been a collaborative project between families, practitioners and builders. Together they have created an accessible and welcoming environment which features changeable sensory lighting, interactive walls and an improved waiting area. Every aspect of the design has been chosen with patients in mind, even down to the paint colour of each wall - the physiotherapy room has bright walls to boost energy whereas the occupational therapy room has more subtle colours to create a sense of calm and focus.
Mark Walton, Sencat Contract Manager, led on the building aspects of the project, he said:
“Milestones is for children and young people, so it was essential that we kept them at the heart of everything we did. Before any element was installed the builders crouched down to understand how a child would experience the space and to see it from their point of view.”
The occupational therapy room features a chalkboard wall in easy reach of children, allowing them to express themselves creatively. In the physiotherapy room, there is a colourful walkway which reacts as you walk across it, creating a sensory experience which is fun and fascinating.
Zoe Barber, Service Manager Children’s Therapies, who worked closely with Mark and colleagues, said:
“The move gave us the opportunity to do things differently, we’ve moved away from a traditionally clinical environment and created somewhere which the families have told us is no longer scary for children. Even the small things such as allowing patients to choose the colour of lighting in their appointment makes a big difference to their experience.”
The positive impact of Milestones isn’t just felt by patients but by staff too, Zoe added:
“We have an incredible team here and they deserve a place of work which is fit for purpose, inspiring and allows them to provide the best possible care, the new facilities do just that and the staff love it! They look forward to coming to work every day.”
The team have many more ideas for the future and how Milestones can evolve and improve for the children and young people who access the service and are hoping to secure some charitable funding to make their ideas a reality.
