The play area is fully accessible and has been specially designed as part of the latest phase of major developments at the centre in Leyland.
Broadoaks Child Development Centre is managed by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and provides community and neurodevelopmental services across Chorley, South Ribble and Greater Preston.
The current transformation also involves roof repairs and internal refurbishments taken to improve the services delivered to local children and families.
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A partnership between Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity via its Children’s Fund, and the Trevor Hemmings Foundation allowed for the play area to be designed in order to support both play and clinical assessment.
Victoria Atkinson, matron for children’s community and specialist nursing, said: “The opening of this play area is a really proud moment for everyone involved in Broadoaks.
“We know how important play is to a child’s development and wellbeing, and this space has been thoughtfully designed to help children feel comfortable, supported and able to express themselves.
“It will make a real difference to the way our teams assess and support children, and most importantly, it creates a positive, welcoming environment for families who use our services.”
Features of the new play area include soft, textured safety surfaces in bright colours, as well as a hopscotch grid, climbing nets and musical sensory features.
Another improvement made to the centre was the WC and baby changing facilities which have been repaired and refurbished to allow better access for patients and families.
The changes aim to better Broadoaks’ services which provide specialist assessment, close coordination with partner services, and long-term support.
A member of the Lancashire Teaching Hospital’s Estates team, Scott Leonard, said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the charitable support and donations that have been received which have made this development a reality.
“Designing and delivering this fantastic facility for the children, their parent or guardian, as well as the NHS services and staff based at Broadoaks, in collaboration with the clinical leads and our key partners, has resulted in this brilliant, accessible and inclusive provision.
“I’ve already seen the facility enable and support the NHS services and staff with their work, and how happy the children are when they are playing in the space. It’s clearly having a huge and positive impact, which it will continue to do for many years to come. It’s been great to hear really positive feedback and see it being used by all at Broadoaks.”
