Engaging patients, carers and staff in hospital planning is a vital part of the design process and helps to create connections between local communities and their health service.
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead (CHW) Stage 2 redevelopment has launched a special Minecraft competition so patients and community can design their own hospital building inside the game.
The Minecraft competition was created to entertain, educate and grow a sense of curiosity about the new Paediatric Services Building.
Roberts Co, the principal builder of the new Paediatric Services Building, has helped develop the online world to allow patients and the community to learn and engage with the new building before it opens to the public.
To coincide with the game launch, the CHW Stage 2 project team and Starlight Foundation recently hosted two interactive events to give children the opportunity to create a building on Minecraft or from craft items.
Among guests were nine-year-old patient Alexa and her mum Dylan, who helped design a hospital out of cardboard, glitter and paint.
Dylan said her daughter loves coming to the Starlight room and anything that distracts the children from thinking about being sick is a big help.
The event included a broadcasted interview with a Site Engineer who spoke about the construction of the new facility, machinery used on site and the importance of safety measures.
The Paediatric Services Building is scheduled to be completed in 2025 and will include cancer services, operating theatres, cardiac services, intensive care, pharmacy, and inpatient units.
The redevelopment also includes a multi-storey car park and refurbishment of the existing building, including a forecourt with more green spaces.
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