We’re opening a specially designed, calming room for children under 16 who are experiencing mental health issues at Queen’s Hospital.

Young patients currently stay in our children’s A&E, sometimes for several days, while they await a mental health bed or suitable care placement, which can be loud and busy, with the lights always on.

The new room has been specifically designed for young people experiencing mental health issues, including adjustable lighting.

Children can be moved there when they no longer require medical care.

There is also a bed, storage space for personal items, a bathroom with a shower and large beanbag, all helping to create a calmer atmosphere than a traditional A&E.

Everything in the room is safe for someone in a mental health crisis, following risk assessments carried out by clinicians from the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT).

It is also staffed by a registered mental health nurse, ensuring patients get the specialist care they need.

The room is based in our Children and Young People’s Assessment Unit.

Emily Bell, our Head of Nursing for Children, said:

This will make a huge difference to children experiencing mental health issues, giving them a much more calming place to be than a loud and busy A&E.

The room has been specially designed and assessed to ensure the comfort and safety of the children who will benefit from it, and having it staffed by a trained mental health nurse will ensure they have the right support while in our hospital.