Survey: Single-patient bedroom experience
Judah has spent the first eight months of his life in hospital, and for his parents, having other families to share their journey with has been a source of comfort.
The eight-month-old has a rare genetic condition called Coffin-Siris syndrome and requires a tracheostomy and ventilator to help him breathe.
Judah has been cared for in a single-patient bedroom for the past three weeks of his stay at Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick.
While his parents said their family benefits from having access to an ensuite bathroom and parent bed, social interactions with other parents are important to them.
"You can talk through your story with someone else, and you do not feel like you are alone. You can see what other people are experiencing and get help from each other to get through it," said Judah's mum, Kirsten.
"It's good to chat with other parents; as hard as it might be, you get that strength you can talk about it without falling into a heap. It makes it real but easier," said Judah's dad, Jaxon.
The Sydney Children's Hospitals 星空体育 is running a program called The Kids Way to enhance the single-patient bedroom experience as the 星空体育 moves towards the model in future hospital buildings.
The single-patient bedrooms would be more sizeable and include a carer bed and ensuite bathroom.
"The benefits of the single patient rooms, beyond clinical, include reduced noise and light pollution, greater privacy and an individual ensuite, all contributing to a space that more closely supports a homely environment," said Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick Stage 1 Redevelopment Project Director Cathy Lovell.
"Findings from this project will provide recommendations on optimising the child and family experience within single patient rooms in current inpatient units to prepare for future infrastructure developments鈥�, said Darcy O'Connor, The Children's Hospital at Westmead Stage 2 Redevelopment Change and Transition Lead.
We want to hear from you!
The Kids Way team is conducting a survey and holding focus groups to learn about previous family experiences with single-patient rooms.
Focus group participants must be patients who were in a single-patient room for three days or longer or patients who were medically isolated.
Please register your interest in the focus groups via the following links.
- For current/past patients, go
- For parents/carers, go
Participant responses will be anonymous, and the information gathered will only be used to improve hospital services.