Christmas wishes for Redcliffe Hospital

Redcliffe Hospital patient Remy using the Distraction Trolley, a previous Wishlist Grant, alongside nurses Alyssa Kemp and Anne Tin.

A trolley filled with colourful toys and activities is helping make hospital visits a little less daunting for children at Redcliffe Hospital, thanks to an idea from staff and the generosity of the community.

Now, the hospital is hoping to bring more ideas like this to life through the first Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Christmas Appeal.

The appeal will raise funds for the Wishlist Grants program and other initiatives that support practical ideas from hospital staff to improve the experience of patients and their families.

One of those ideas came from Dr Michelle Dodds and her colleagues, who wanted a way to distract and reassure children while they received care.

With support from community donations, their wish became a reality in the form of a Paediatric Distraction Trolley, stocked with colourful sensory toys and activities to help put young patients at ease.

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Manager Sharyn Tidswell said the trolley was an example of how relatively simple ideas could make a difference.

“Hospital staff know their patients and understand the little things that can make a big difference to someone's experience. Sometimes it's a resource, a piece of equipment or a new approach that can help make a hospital visit that little bit easier,” Sharyn said.

“That's what Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital Wishlist Grants are all about, listening to the ideas of hospital staff and working with our community to make them possible.

“Our first Christmas Appeal is a wonderful opportunity for the community to get involved. Every gift, big or small, can help bring another hospital wish to life, whether it's something to help a child feel more comfortable, make it easier for a patient to communicate or bring a little extra comfort to a family.”

Raise it for Redcliffe Hospital is an initiative of the RBWH Foundation in partnership with Redcliffe Hospital, with all funds raised supporting the hospital.

To donate or find out more, visit here.