SPEECH and language therapy rooms at East Lothian Community Hospital have been transformed in a bid to make them more welcoming.

NHS Lothian Charity has continued its programme of art and therapeutic design with its latest project, which has created bright, stimulating speech and language therapy rooms to support children and young people.

The original speech and language therapy rooms at the Haddington hospital were functional but described as “stark, cold feeling and clinical”.

Now the newly refurbished therapy rooms offer a welcoming and engaging environment for children and their families.

Speech and language therapy rooms at the East Lothian Community Hospital have been transformed

Speech and language therapy rooms at the East Lothian Community Hospital have been transformed

Caroline Anderson, a speech and language therapist at East Lothian Community Hospital, said: “Families are more relaxed, which creates a better environment for therapy sessions. They are interesting, but not distracting, which would not work for some children, who can be easily distracted.

“The room with the floor mat and orange cushions is great for floor work, which is important for the younger age group.

“Being on the floor, rather than sitting at a table, is childlike in itself and suits the majority of younger children who need to be able to move without restrictions.”

Speech and language therapy clinic enhancements were funded by Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity with the support of Coldstones Charitable Trust, and commissioned and managed by Round Table Projects as part of NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts’ wider art and environmental strategy for East Lothian Community Hospital.

Speech and language therapy rooms at the East Lothian Community Hospital have been transformed

Speech and language therapy rooms at the East Lothian Community Hospital have been transformed

Susan Grant, Tonic Arts manager at NHS Lothian Charity, said: “The enhancements are carefully considered to be child-friendly and meet the specific needs of young patients.

“The colourful walls, interactive elements and comfortable floor cushions create a fun and engaging atmosphere that encourages participation and makes therapy sessions more enjoyable and successful for the children.”

Pippa Johnston, deputy CEO at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, also welcomed the move.

She said: “Coming to hospital can often feel stressful and a little bit scary for children and their families, so it’s so important that the spaces they visit feel welcoming and relaxing.”