Stepping Hill Hospital opens new children's play area

A new play area for young patients at Stepping Hill Hospital has opened, thanks to a generous Â£33,249 donation from charity MedEquip4Kids; pictured are Stockport NHS Trust chairman Gillian Easson with CBBC Presenter Katie Thistleton, staff, representatives from MedEquip and Vinci, children and families.

A play area was first constructed on the site at Stepping Hill Hospital 17 years ago, but has been out-of-bounds for the past five years due to disrepair.

The new area was partly designed by young patients of the Tree House children’s unit, who will now be able to use it alongside young users of Pennine Care’s disability and mental health services.

The official opening was conducted by Stockport NHS Foundation Trust chairman Gillian Easson and CBBC presenter Katie Thistleton, who lives locally and is a supporter of MedEquip4Kids.

Gillian said: “This will make a real difference to the young patients who come here. Being able to play and be outside, while in hospital, enables children to continue an important aspect of their normal life.”

The design has a bright seafaring theme with bridges, hills, tunnels and a huge model boat. Construction firm Vinci supported the project with a significant donation to MedEquip4Kids, and the charity’s chief executive Ghazala Baig said: “It’s been a pleasure to once again support a project at the Tree House unit.”