A DESIGNATED safe space has been created for staff working at the Gobowen Orthopaedic Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The space has been arranged so staff can take a break from the pressure of working during the virus outbreak.

The room – dubbed as the Rainbow Room – at The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital (RJAH), is a dedicated wellbeing space which all staff can access any time, day or night.

The idea came from Dr Sophie Shapter, consultant anaesthetist, after seeing a similar initiative at other trust’s across the country.

She said: “We’re all going through a really tough time at the moment and different people have differing coping mechanisms.

“Some people like to talk to others, some would need to have a little cry, and others would just want to sit in silence to reflect, and that’s what the Rainbow Room is here for and the feedback we’ve had so far has been overwhelmingly positive.”

With staff at the hospital facing unprecedented challenges, the new room is already proving popular with staff across the Trust who need to take time away from their working environment.

The League of Friends have supported the initiative by funding soft furnishings, refreshments, music, wellbeing apps and a range of mindfulness resources.

Sophie added: “I also have to say a huge thanks to a number of teams across the hospital for supporting this – our fantastic League of Friends, the People Services department, our Estates and Facilities team and also the Therapies department who are allowing us to use the Occupational Therapy flat.”

The Rainbow Room can be found in the Occupational Therapy flat – a space which is usually used by to support patient rehabilitation by allowing them to carry out day-to-day activities and help regain their skills and confidence.