A chance hospital visit has resulted in a refurbishment of the Emergency Department waiting area at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, using Altro floor and wall products and delivered at no cost to the hospital.
Over the last two years the NHS has faced unprecedented challenges that have made the British public more appreciative than ever of our health services.
And, when Ryan Spencer took his son to A&E for treatment, it set off a series of actions resulting in a rejuvenated waiting area that has made a huge difference to families and staff alike.
Spencer runs RLX Construction, but in 2020 he worked for Henry Boot Construction, a Sheffield-based company with a background in healthcare projects.
He said: “I took my son to A&E and as we waited I thought this is a great facility that has served so many children, but it was really looking a little tired and a little outdated.
“So I approached my employer with the idea of giving something back – using our contacts and experience, asking our subcontractors to work with us at a reduced price, and asking our manufacturers to donate products.
“I got really good buy-in and we were able to deliver a fresh, bright, and colourful waiting area at no cost to the hospital.”
Altro Whiterock walls were installed by Richardson Claddings and Fresco Flooring installed the Altro floor coverings.
The project used Altro Fortis Titanium wall protection and Altro Whiterock Chameleon and Altro Whiterock Satins.
For the flooring the Altro Cantata adhesive-free product was used as it is quick to install, with little disruption.
Spencer worked with Altro to put forward suitable products to the hospital’s art team, who viewed swatches and colour palettes to make the final selections.
And the results are making a big difference to staff and families using the services.
The project involved the use of Altro flooring and wall products, to create a more fresh and inviting environment
Dr Cath Rimmer, paediatric emergency medicine consultant and ED team lead, said: “The whole place looks so much better. It’s clean, fresh, and bright and a far-more-pleasant environment to wait in for children and families attending the department.”
Spencer adds: “It was not just about looks; this project had to deliver performance too.
“We opted for Altro Cantata because it could be laid over the existing flooring in this area that is in use 24/7, 365 days a year.
“And the Altro wall products are fantastic because they bring colour and interest to the area with no compromise on hygiene and are so easy to clean.
Altro Cantata is a tonal and modernist adhesive-free floor that creates maximum impact with minimum downtime.
It has been designed for hardworking public areas and is a durable 2.4mm floor which gives 14dB impact noise reduction to quieten busy spaces, plus comfort underfoot to help reduce fatigue.
Altro Fortis Titanium has been specifically designed to protect walls, doors, and corners as it is dense, impervious, and resistant to bumps.
Altro Whiterock Satins is a range of colourful satin finish wall sheets with all the hygiene and durability of Altro Whiterock.
Great in wet environments, wards, and kitchens, it can be combined with Altro non-sparkle safety flooring to achieve the required Light Reflectance Value difference needed for the requirements of the Equality Act 2010.
And Altro Whiterock Chameleon is glossy, vibrant, and vividly-colourful hygienic wall cladding, available in 16 high-impact, high-design shades to add a little bit of affordable luxury to a range of environments.
The work and products were provided free of charge