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Bright floral displays are decking the wards of Toowoomba Hospital, so both staff and patients can enjoy some Spring festivities.
The idea to decorate areas of the hospital was planted years ago and is now a September tradition which means the Carnival of Flowers isn’t restricted to just garden beds.
Darling Downs Health Enrolled Nurse Katherine McKay spent weeks of her own time cutting and laminating floral artwork to hang in the Surgical Unit.
“I made the display to bring a little of the carnival atmosphere to our ward for patients and staff, a bit of fun and colour to hopefully inspire some joy when things aren't always going so well,” Ms McKay said.
“A lot of patients as well as staff from across the hospital have commented on how it has brightened up the ward and brought smiles to their faces.”
“Being a patient in hospital can be a stressful and uncertain time for some so if a few simple decorations can bring a little joy than I am more than happy to help.”
And it’s not just the Surgical Unit team who rose to the occasion; several staff in the Critical Care Ward worked together to create their colourful display.
Nurse Unit Manager Luke Phillips said the big team effort is being warmly welcomed by patients.
“They really relish and appreciate the time that it took to put this up. The patient’s themselves love to just lay in bed and look at the decorations,” Mr Phillips said.
Registered Nurse Caitlyn Mason agreed that the space has brought immense happiness to everyone involved.
“The display brings the outside in and provides a link to nature both for patients and families, with members of the public describing joyful memories of past Carnival of Flowers experiences,” Ms Mason said.
“As a unit we run a garden club where we visit each other’s gardens, share in plant swapping, delicious morning tea and gardening ideas so decorating the nurses station was a natural progression for a plant obsessed nursing cohort.”
The Eat Walk Engage (EWE) team at Medical Unit 2 also got into the Carnival of Flowers spirit this year, creating a flashback display of old photos and memorabilia.
It’s been a great interactive activity for the older patients in hospital to enjoy.