A collaboration between Philips Healthcare and the LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity has resulted in the opening of ‘Latchmosphere’, a ‘one-of-a-kind’ multi-sensory imaging department at the Children’s Hospital for Wales in Cardiff – which provides ‘a calming, empowering experience’ for young people needing scans within an oncology imaging department, and incorporates the latest Philips AmbientExperience (AE) technology.
The result of a collaboration between designers and clinical consultants, the ‘Latchmosphere’ installation comprises AE projected wall-sized animations, provided as ‘positive distractions’, while children can also interact with elements of the lighting, projected imagery, and music. The goal is to help them feel more relaxed by giving them some control of the imaging environment.
Sarah McIntyre, senior radiographer, said: “Children living with cancer face enormous challenges day-to-day, so any tool we can bring to the department that in some way improves their experience is a welcome addition. ‘Latchmosphere’ gives children the ability to create their own environment in the imaging rooms, helping them remain calm and still during their scan, to hopefully improve their experience and the images captured. We believe it’s working really well, as a recent user survey has highlighted the positive impact this new environment is bringing.”
