Teen room on Rotorua Hospital Countdown Appeal wish list

Rotorua Hospital staff have put together a wishlist which includes updating the whānau room in the children's unit. Photo/File

Countdown's annual Kids Hospital Appeal opens today and Rotorua Hospital has a wish list which includes a teen lounge.

The 12th annual appeal hopes to raise $1.3 million for children's hospitals and wards throughout New Zealand.

All funds raised are then donated to hospitals for their "wish lists" and there is already more than $100,000 in the bank from hot cross bun sales.

Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal Trust chairwoman Ruth Krippner said it could get competitive between stores and Rotorua would be no different.

"Our teams live and work in these communities and have such strong connections in their local area.

"Some have had their own whānau in hospital as well, so they know first hand how important it is to help."

She said the generosity of Countdown customers and fundraising efforts of the teams could help make a huge difference to the life of a little one and their family during a traumatising time.

Rotorua Hospital staff have put together a wish list which includes updating the whānau room in the children's unit, converting a second treatment room into a teen lounge, buying tablet computers for use in the emergency departments, children's unit and theatre, weighted blankets and sensory play equipment.

Rotorua Hospital clinical nurse manager for the children's unit Erin Carn-Bennett. Photo/Supplied

Clinical nurse manager for the children's unit Erin Carn-Bennett said the team wanted to make the hospital experience for children more enjoyable, welcoming and play focused.

"In order to do this, the team wanted to have more appropriate spaces for family centred care."

She said some of the items on the wish list would help staff to better cater to adolescents with sensory processing disorders and mental health clients.

"The second treatment room that is going to be transformed into a teen lounge and sensory play space will have interactive technology to encourage older children to get physical and play.

"The equipment will include a bubble column, fibre optic lights, couches and bean bags, and there will also be a non-clinical space in the room for family therapy."

The Countdown grant will also enable the team to buy bilirubinometers which screen for jaundice without a blood test.

"These items are used worldwide, and can give an indication of jaundice levels quickly and easily," Carn-Bennett said.

"With about 1500 births at Lakes District Health Board hospitals a year, about 350 of those babies are admitted to the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) each year, and about 570 blood tests are administered each year for jaundice levels."

To donate
• Visit any Countdown and donate at the checkout
• Buy an appeal wristband or raffle ticket in-store
• Get involved in your local store's fundraising activities
• Donate while you're doing your shopping online by selecting Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal as a product