A new lighting panel featuring a blue sky and clouds has been fitted on the ceiling above the midwives’ station on Nettleham Ward. This area is central to the building and does not receive any natural light.
On Bardney Ward, the panel which features a lake and mountain has been placed on the wall.
The panels give off light and move through different settings, adjusting as appropriate for the time of day.
The new panels were paid for by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity and will help with staff morale and patient experience.
Last year, staff working on these wards said they struggled with the lack of sunlight during their shifts, and they’d found this impacted on their mood and effectiveness.
Some midwives were experiencing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder, and the lack of natural light exacerbated their symptoms.
Improving the lighting was suggested as a possible solution and the sky panels were investigated and found to be a viable option. The virtual sky panels help to promote wellness, reduce stress and anxiety and improve patient and staff experience in clinical settings.
Claudia Coggan, a midwife on Nettleham Ward said: “I work as a coordinator and have found that natural light struggled to reach us at the midwives’ station where the computers were situated. We felt like all we had was artificial light for our long shifts. The shadows on our keyboards did not help.
“We heard we were having a new lighting system above where we worked and helped choose the screen picture.
“The light screen was installed, and the distribution of light is much better now and the best part is that we can adjust the intensity of the light according to our needs. It is easier to work on computers and there is less eye strain.”
Bardney Ward is for women in labour and Nettleham Ward is the antenatal and postnatal ward for mothers and their newborn babies.
Patients on these wards will also benefit from the improved environment, making it a little more welcoming and homely.
Ben Petts, Charity Manager at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity said: “We are delighted to be able to fund these virtual sky panels and help support staff and patient wellbeing.
“They bring a bit of the outdoors indoors and have really improved the look and feel of the wards.”
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity supports staff to deliver outstanding care to patients, their families and carers at Lincolnshire hospitals. The money raised for and by the charity pays for the extras which can’t be provided by the NHS alone, like the sky panels.
For more information about the charity and the difference that every donation can make, please visit their website: United Lincolnshire Hospitals (ulhcharity.org.uk)