Reading, UK – Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA), LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, and Koledo and Gielissen Interiors and Exhibitions, today opened ‘Latchmosphere’, a one-of-a-kind multi-sensory imaging department at the Children’s Hospital for Wales, part of the University Hospital of Wales.
The result of a collaboration between designers and clinical consultants, ‘Latchmosphere’ helps support the emotional needs of the children and the imaging requirements of staff across the touch points of the patient’s journey. The result is a calming, empowering experience for young people, and includes the installation of the latest Ambient-Experience (AE) technology.
The installation consists of AE projected wall-sized animations, which are provided as positive distractions while children can also interact with elements of the lighting, projected imagery and music within the department. This is designed to help them feel more relaxed by giving them some control of the imaging environment. Created through extensive collaboration, the department aims to be truly multi-functional and also considers how the space and design impacts patient-flow and staff productivity, to best provide a positive experience for all through what can be very demanding circumstances.
Sarah McIntyre, Senior Radiographer at the Children’s Hospital for Wales commented: “Children living with cancer face enormous challenges day-to-day, so any tool we can bring to the department that in some way improves their experience, is a welcome addition. ‘Latchmosphere’ provides children the ability to create their own environment in the imaging rooms, helping them to remain calm and still during their scan to, hopefully, improve their experience and the images captured. We believe it’s working really well, as a recent user survey has highlighted the positive impact this new environment is bringing to the service.”
The survey demonstrates positive user feedback; with topline results showing that 72% of respondents saying the new experience of the imaging procedure itself is ‘a lot better’[1] and 89% of users said that the child experience in the new department is ‘better’ or ‘a lot better’1.
Philip Price, Honorary President of LATCH says: “MRI scans are a critical part of cancer treatment as they allow doctors to diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been. But, out of everything they go through, the children tell us that they are most scared of the scanner. It’s a big machine and they can be in there for up to 45 minutes at a time and need to lie very still, which is why many children have to be given a general anaesthetic, which may come with side effects, so it’s much better for the child if they don’t have one. That’s why we’ve been working with the Children’s Hospital of Wales and Philips to try and help children be relaxed, calm, and as still as possible during their scans.”
As part of a phased opening of the Children’s Hospital for Wales, which was completed in May of this year, a fully-Dynamic LED, touch responsive wall and animation light floor have been installed into the waiting area of the radiology department. Hygienically compliant, these interactive displays can be controlled by the children and offer a playful distraction while they wait for their scan. The department also includes a Philips KittenScanner that educates the children through play, and helps them better understand the scanning process. Similar animations can be chosen by the children to watch during the scan itself.
“We were honored to be selected to collaborate with industry partners and hospital staff to create a new and truly optimized space, with different supporting ‘zones’ that reflect the varying needs of patients and their families,” comments Neil Mesher, Managing Director, Philips Healthcare UK & Ireland. “We believe ‘Latchmosphere’ powered by Philips is a great example of how design and technology can come together to help people in a holistic way, from the moment patients step into reception to the moment they leave.”
