The Morrisons Foundation has made a significant charitable contribution of £100,000 to Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, aimed at transforming the hospital's Emergency Department. This substantial grant forms a crucial part of a wider £2 million regeneration appeal that seeks to expand and enhance the facility.
A Vital Transformation for a Critical Service
Birmingham Children's Hospital's Emergency Department currently serves as the sole major trauma centre for children and young people across the entire Midlands region. Originally designed to accommodate a maximum of 40,000 patients annually, the department now treats in excess of 67,000 sick children each year. This dramatic increase in demand has created an urgent need for the department's expansion and modernisation.
Creating a Calmer, More Supportive Environment
The Morrisons Foundation's generous donation will be specifically allocated to the creation of a new waiting room within the Emergency Department. This redesigned space will incorporate several family-focused features designed to improve the experience for young patients and their families during stressful emergency visits.
The planned enhancements include comfortable family seating options, beautiful artwork to create a more calming atmosphere, a dedicated play area, and digital screens to help distract patients and pass the time. Importantly, the design will also incorporate sensory elements to better support patients with additional needs.
Hospital Leadership Expresses Gratitude
Nicole Hermanns, Head of Philanthropy and Strategic Projects at Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity, commented on the impact of this donation. "Our Emergency Department Appeal will completely transform a visit to our ED," she said. "The ability to turn our dark, cramped waiting room into an open and comfortable space will make a real difference to our young patients and families needing emergency care."
Hermanns added, "This incredible gift from Morrisons Foundation will help us make this new space truly special, with artwork and family-friendly seating, distraction for our patients and siblings, and other amenities we know our families need while they are with us. On behalf of everyone at our hospital, we'd like to say thank you."
Foundation's Commitment to Community Impact
David Scott, Morrisons Foundation Trustee, expressed his delight at being able to support this vital project. "I'm delighted that the Morrisons Foundation has been able to provide this exceptional donation of £100,000 to help transform the Emergency Department at Birmingham Children's Hospital," he stated.
Scott continued, "The new ED will make a huge difference to the patients, staff and visitors to the hospital for many years to come and I can't wait to see the results once the transformation work and wonderful new designs in the waiting room come to life."
Phased Transformation Ensuring Continuity of Care
The hospital has planned the Emergency Department transformation to occur in multiple phases, ensuring that the department's life-saving services remain completely unaffected throughout the renovation process. Work has recently commenced on the new waiting area, with completion expected in spring, when it will open to patients and their families.
This strategic approach allows the hospital to maintain its critical emergency services while simultaneously improving the facility's infrastructure and patient environment. The £2 million appeal represents a comprehensive effort to address both the physical expansion needs and the quality of experience for families during emergency visits.
