Theatre 6 Transformed with Under the Sea Design to Support Young Patients

Theatre 6 at Royal Stoke University Hospital has been transformed with an Under the Sea design to help children feel calmer before surgery.

The project was led by Sheryll Gadayan, Senior Staff Nurse and Paediatric Theatre Lead, who wanted to improve the experience for children undergoing procedures.

Sheryll said:

“When I took on the role, I noticed how anxious children were when they saw the anaesthetic room door. Some would step back. I knew we needed to make the theatre feel more welcoming.

“This will make a massive difference to children coming in for surgery.”

The mural wraps around the theatre entrance and continues inside, creating a consistent theme designed to distract and reassure young patients during anaesthetic.

Gareth Hurley, Matron for Operating Theatres, said:

“The main driving force behind this has been the staff, especially Sheryll. She has absolutely run with this project.

“Theatre 6 sees a lot of paediatric patients. The visual alone makes it more accommodating and helps distract children when they are having an anaesthetic.”

Julie Eccleston, Deputy Theatre Coordinator, added:

“We’ve seen the design develop over the last few months. The attention to detail is fantastic.

“It’s already made a difference. It makes staff smile and it makes patients smile. Children don’t seem quite as fearful walking through those doors.”

UHNM Charity funded the project, with support from Sodexo and colleagues who helped prepare and protect the mural so it can withstand the clinical environment.

Sheryll added:

“We just want to thank the charity for funding this project. It will make a real difference to children going into surgery.”

The new design aims to create a more positive first impression for young patients and support a calmer start to their surgical experience at Royal Stoke University Hospital.