Patients at the Royal Cornwall Hospital are set to benefit from a new sensory trolley funded by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity.
The Rhino Sensory Trolley is based on Zennor Ward but has been specifically chosen for its portability, allowing it to be moved easily between wards and departments whenever needed. The trolley can be wheeled to different clinical areas, making it an accessible resource for a wide range of patients.
Costing just under £5k, the equipment offers a variety of sensory experiences, including fibre optic lights, music and projection features that can help create a soothing and relaxing environment. Its projector can also be removed and used as a standalone unit, providing even greater flexibility for clinical teams.
The sensory trolley is expected to be particularly valuable in eldercare settings, supporting patients living with dementia or experiencing delirium. Multi-sensory environments can help reduce anxiety and distress, creating moments of calm in what can often be an unfamiliar hospital environment.
The trolley’s music function has already shown promise for patients who have limited or no verbal communication, helping staff and families connect with patients through familiar sounds and meaningful sensory experiences.
Kylie Orcheston, Clinical Nurse Specialist for Older People and Frailty, said: “This sensory trolley will make a real difference to some of our most vulnerable patients. During a visit to Zennor Ward, I met a patient who was listening to her favourite Beatles song. She told me that the music brought her comfort and familiarity, helping her feel calmer and reminding her of happier times. She also shared that she found the hospital environment frightening and, at times, overwhelming, but that listening to music helped her relax and feel more secure.
Experiences like this highlight the powerful impact personalised sensory support can have on patients’ emotional wellbeing. Familiar music, calming lights and sensory experiences can reduce anxiety, provide reassurance and help patients feel more at ease during what can be a very challenging time. We are incredibly grateful to Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity for supporting this resource, which can be taken directly to patients wherever it is needed most.”
The sensory trolley will support not only patients and their families, but also the staff caring for them. It provides clinical teams with another way to engage and communicate with patients who may be confused, distressed or unable to express their needs. Because it can be used across different wards and departments, staff can tailor sensory experiences to individual patients, helping create more personalised care and improving the overall hospital experience.
The sensory trolley is just one example of the projects that Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity can support thanks to the generosity of local people. Through the new Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity Lottery, players can help fund initiatives that go beyond NHS provision, enhancing patient care, wellbeing and comfort across Cornwall’s hospitals. By signing up, supporters will not only be in with a chance of winning cash prizes, but will also be helping to make a lasting difference to patients and their families. Find out more and join the lottery, and help support the extraordinary extras that make hospital care even better.