Young fundraiser opens new emergency department

A new children's emergency department has been opened at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (RD&E) after a £200,000 fundraising appeal.

Young patient Tim Harvey, who raised more than £2,000 with the help of his parents, cut the ribbon to officially opened the the venue.

The unit is the final phase of a multi-million pound transformation of the entire emergency department by the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Tim said the ocean-themed wall murals and light panels made him feel "excited" and the new look department was "a lot better" than before.

The 11-year-old from Cranbrook was inspired to help with the redesign after regular visits to the hospital.

Tim's parents said he had undergone more than 150 operations throughout his life due to "lots of medical conditions" including a hole in his heart and issues with his oesophagus.

Tim said he had raised money by organising bake sales, darts, pool, raffles and karaoke.

Clinical project manager Gavin Best said the new emergency department had received "immediate fantastic feedback".

He said: "It's a really exciting time for us delivering a new children's area.

"It's the end of our programme which has been many years in the making and we know previously our experience for children wasn't as good as it could have been.

"We've thought a lot about play and it's a key part of how we care for children."

Mr Best said the redesign was styled around an underwater theme, with iPads, televisions and "distractions in the walls by way of infinity mirrors".

"I think we've come a long, long way and I'm incredibly proud of the teams that have delivered this," he added.

"We've delivered a facility which will put us on the map in terms of patient care and facilities, and for that I'm really excited."

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