Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Young patients spending Book Week at Armadale Hospital received a special delivery to brighten their stay, with local libraries donating a collection of much-loved children’s books.
The City of Armadale’s libraries donated dozens of preloved books to the hospital’s paediatric and neonatal wards last week, including favourites such as Cinderella and The Princess and the Frog.
Paediatric and neonatal nurse unit manager Kristy Flood approached the libraries for resources to help children in the wards join in the Book Week celebrations.
The donation also gave the well-loved books a new life outside the library.
Mayor Ruth Butterfield said the books would benefit children in hospital, as well as siblings and families spending time on the wards.
“For the children who happened to spend Book Week in hospital rather than at school, Kindy or home, I hope these books brought a little bit of fun and normality to their week,” she said.
“The nursing team also spoke to us about siblings who spend time on the wards while their brother or sister is receiving care.
“Having a book to pick up and read, whether on their own or together as a family, is such a simple thing, but it can make that time a little easier.”
“These books have been very well looked after and enjoyed by local children through our libraries, and now they get another chapter.”
Ms Butterfield and library staff delivered the books and toured the wards to learn more about the care being provided to local children and families.
Since July last year, the hospital has delivered 2250 babies, provided 141,954 outpatient appointments and treated 69,198 people through its emergency department.
“Those are extraordinary numbers. Walking through the hospital and meeting the people behind them is what really puts it into perspective,” Ms Butterfield said.
“Every day, local families are coming through these doors at some of the happiest, hardest and most uncertain moments of their lives.”
“Our libraries team saw an opportunity to support the hospital and the families it cares for, while giving these books a new life with some of our youngest residents.”
