A SPACE has opened up at Forth Valley Royal Hospital which will allow patients to access a relaxing environment.

The green room, located in the hospital’s neonatal unit, will provide a calming area for patients and staff to reflect and relax.

This room will also provide a private, non-clinical area for parents to meet with healthcare staff from the neonatal unit to get an update on their baby’s progress, catch up with their local midwife or have a session with the psychology team.

Pamela Connolly, manager of the neonatal ward at Forth Valley Royal Hospital, hailed the room’s opening and reported early feedback had been positive.

She said: “One mum mentioned that when she was in the neonatal unit with her previous child, she often felt she had nowhere to decompress and compose herself.

“It also provides somewhere more private for parents to speak to staff away from the neonatal unit which can often be very busy.

“Many parents may spend large periods of time in the unit so having somewhere comfortable to go to at the end of a long where they can relax on their own or with other parents makes a huge difference.”

The green room has been stocked with snacks and drinks as well as books and craft materials for older children to entertain themselves with.

The neonatal unit has also launched a series of weekly drop-in support groups for parents to use.

These take place on Thursdays from 10.30am to 12.30pm in the parent craft room on the ground floor of the women and children’s unit in FV hospital.

The free sessions cover a variety of topics such as feeding, wellbeing and general support and provide an opportunity for current and former parents to share experiences with each other.

Pamela added: “We know parents receive a lot of information when their baby is in the neonatal unit which can be a lot to take in at the time.

“Parents can also often feel anxious or isolated after they have brought their baby home.

“We therefore hope these new drop-in sessions will give local parents the chance to access advice and support in a comfortable and informal setting as well as provide an opportunity to meet up with other parents who are facing similar challenges and experiences.”