Royal Surrey's children's ward gets makeover as Christmas present

Young patients at the Royal Surrey this Christmas will now be comforted by serene scenes of an underwater sea-world, thanks to Momentum Children’s Charity.

Hascombe, the paediatric ward at Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, has received an underwater makeover with all walls and corridors now decorated with dolphins, whales and all sorts of colourful sea creatures.

Momentum Children’s Charity supports families across South West London, Surrey and West Sussex whose children are facing cancer or a life-challenging condition.

Senal Soyer, Matron of Hascombe, said: “Hospital can be a frightening and intimidating place for anyone, but especially for children.

“These beautiful murals will be a great distraction and help to make the hospital feel warmer and less like a scary clinical space.

“We chose the under-water sea theme because it is calming and we have noticed that the children respond really positively to it.”

Momentum’s murals have received lots of praise from both parents and children. One dad, Assym Zaman, who visited Hascombe ward with his four-year-old daughter Ayzah, said: “The cute sea life murals on the walls make the ward look a lot more welcoming for my daughter when she comes here for treatment.

“I really appreciate the makeover that’s been done because now the place looks and feels more like a nursery school and that definitely helps Ayzah feel less nervous and scared when she visits.”