A comfortable Parent Zone has been created in the paediatric ward.
A child has the right to stay in hospital with their guardian around the clock. They should be able to meet with their family without any restrictions, have a place to rest and play with their peers. The European Charter of the Rights of the Child clearly defines the conditions that a hospital should provide to young patients and their caregivers. However, the reality varies. Many Polish hospitals and paediatric wards are not able to meet basic standards for financial and housing reasons. The “Parent Zone. Budimex for Children” helps to solve this problem.
For over 6 years, Budimex has been creating comfortable spaces for children and their caregivers in hospitals throughout Poland. The zones are a place for relaxation, meetings with family and fun outside the hospital room. Kitchenettes for preparing meals, spaces for safe play and separate zones for meetings with loved ones are being created in paediatric wards. The safety and health of children is a priority in our company’s social activities. Since 2013, we have created thirty-two Parent Zones in Polish hospitals. Years later, we can see how they really change the situation in medical facilities dealing with the youngest patients – says Aldona Orłowski, Director of the Recruitment, Development and Communication Office at Budimex SA.
The latest Parent Zone was created at the Provincial Hospital in Płock. At the paediatric ward, a playroom for children inspired by the African savannah was created on over 50 square metres. Young patients have at their disposal a structure resembling a tree house, a place to draw and play freely. For parents, a cozy corner with soft armchairs and a mini library has been created. The Płock Parent Zone is located in the public hall. Going beyond the space of the pediatric ward itself, we had a bit more arrangement possibilities. This is the first Zone in the history of the program in which, with the consent of the hospital, we could use live plants. This is unusual in medical facilities, but we made it. Thanks to this, this place resembles home even more, which will make it even easier to break away from the hospital routine – emphasizes the designer of the Zone – Martyna Chmielewska. A place to play and rest is not only part of the support that the hospital received under the Programme. In addition, Budimex decided to equip the post-hospital waiting room of the paediatric outpatient clinic and the admission room with soft seats, tables for children and drawing boards. We are grateful for such a huge support. The Parent Zone and comfortable waiting rooms will be used by several thousand children a year. Such comfortable conditions will not only help minimize the inconvenience associated with a hospital stay, but also reduce stress during visits and check-ups – said Marek Budny, acting deputy director for health care at the Provincial Hospital in Płock.
The opening of the 32. Parent Zone took place on December 4. On that day, not only the dedication of space was celebrated, but also special guests were received. The young patients were visited by Darek Wardziak – the Ambassador of the Programme and Santa Claus, who gave gifts to the children staying in the ward. Volunteers from Budimex, as always, helped with the last arrangement works and additionally played the role of Santa’s helpers. The gifts that the children received were books and toys purchased by Budimex employees. We are glad that we could help and make the children smile, emphasized Artur Adamus, Contract Director of Budimex SA.
