Saturn

This cosmic makeover at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital offers comfort and distraction for some of our youngest patients and their families.

Saturn is a busy unit at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. It treats children aged 0 to 16 who are being cared for under West London Children’s Healthcare, which brings together specialist services for children across Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Saturn provides care for children and young people undergoing day surgery, when they do not need to stay in hospital overnight before or after their operation or procedure. It has a waiting area (including side rooms), cubicles and rooms for assessments, operating theatres, and recovery area, alongside a waiting area for parents.

For many, it’s their first experience of surgery, and the environment plays an important role in shaping their journey. The existing space, however, was tired from years of use, with little to distract waiting patients.

This project, made possible thanks to a generous donor, was an opportunity for CW+ to transform Saturn into a more uplifting, calming and engaging space. The first step was to work closely with the clinical team, conducting consultations to understand the patient journey and identify the areas where we could have the most impact on children and their families.

New look and feel

The refurbishment focused largely on the main waiting area, where patients and their families can spend several hours before being called for surgery. It’s natural for patients to feel anxious, so a key priority for this project was to create a calm environment with opportunities for distraction. Improvements were also made in four side rooms, the parents’ waiting area and the recovery bay area.

Cosmic quest – a space-themed adventure

To make Saturn an inspiring and immersive space, the CW+ Arts Team developed a cosmic theme. From the moment patients arrive, they embark on a space journey, mirroring the experience of an astronaut.

Entrance and exit: The doors set the stage for the adventure – patients ‘launch’ into space at reception and ‘return to Earth’ after surgery.
Illustrations and characters: Vibrant wall art by illustrator Jonathan Woodward brings the theme to life. Mo and Nova, two astronaut characters, guide patients through a playful planet-hopping journey, meeting other animal astronauts along the way.
Interactive elements: A specially designed booklet, Cosmic Quest, written by children’s poet Simon Mole and illustrated by Woodward, offers engaging activities including designing a rocket and mapping out a new constellation. Patients receive a Mission Complete sticker from the nurses after surgery.
Ceiling galaxy: Clusters of swirling purple and pink galaxies overhead create a soothing skyscape, complementing the wall art.
Constellation windows: The windows are a fun play on constellations – Woodward has included a fictional constellation for children to spot among the real ones.

Sensory spaces – creating a soothing environment

The consultation highlighted the need to improve four side rooms for patients who require a quieter space before surgery – primarily those with additional needs including autism and ADHD. Guided by input from the Play Team, CW+ installed:

projector systems with interchangeable slides
musical touch walls with interactive displays
sensory carts with comforting and distracting activities

These additions have transformed the rooms into calming, multi-sensory environments, giving the Play Team dedicated spaces to support patients more effectively.

All images: Damian Griffiths

The sensory room has become a vital space, providing a calming and engaging environment tailored to individual needs. It helps children regulate their emotions and feel less anxious, making their hospital experience a little less frightening. The new equipment has made a profound difference – seeing the patients smile as they enter the room is priceless

Sharon Charane, Senior Health Play Specialist

A comfortable space for parents

The parents’ waiting area has benefited from new luxury furniture, including modern dark teal sofas, colourful footstools and wooden side tables. Freshly installed artworks complement the new look.

Other cosmetic changes included a complete re-paint of the waiting area and the re-upholstering of the existing seating and play area cushions.

This refurbishment has revitalised Saturn, creating an environment that helps to ease anxiety and enhances the overall patient and family experience. With engaging artwork, interactive distractions and calming sensory spaces, young patients can now embark on their own cosmic quest, making what can be a daunting experience a little bit easier.