Those who have spent time, even if only briefly, in a hospital know firsthand the importance of space. White and dull walls, the uncomfortable white light in emergency and wards; shared rooms, limited privacy… The environment can shape the experience, and Vall d’Hebron Hospital, aware of this, has taken a turn in the conception of space in a particularly delicate area: the pediatric oncohematology ward. The healthcare center inaugurated this Monday 2,646 square meters of colors, games, rooms, sofas, and poufs to create a more welcoming environment for those children and young people who have to be admitted: “For now, we cannot change that children have cancer, but we can change their perception of reality,” said Albert Salazar, manager of Vall d’Hebron Hospital.
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The ward has been operational since last September, and 400 children and adolescents have already been treated, with 72 transplants performed. The project started seven years ago, and today it was publicly inaugurated. In total, the investment has been 7.4 million euros funded by the Aladina, Albert Bosch, and Small foundations. The new area has 12 rooms for children, eight for adolescents, and nine for hematopoietic transplants. In addition to a terrace, family areas, separate play spaces for children and adolescents, and a clinical trial space in which about 50 people have participated who, without these facilities, “would not have been able to participate,” it was explained.
With this ward, Vall d’Hebron “can continue to be an international reference in pediatric oncology,” said Salazar. Laura Lucaya, from the Small foundation, stated on behalf of the three entities that they wanted “children and families to have a space that conveyed hope,” and they wanted to emphasize the change in the transplant rooms, which are now “spacious rooms.” “Spaces also heal,” she concluded.
Salvador Illa, present at the inauguration, highlighted the conception of medical spaces “as a home,” valuing how the space was designed: patients, families, and medical staff were able to contribute ideas for optimizing the spaces. “All this has an impact on patient recovery.” Illa emphasized the value of healthcare — “When you experience it, you appreciate it,” he commented with a laugh recalling his admission in January — also of talent, technology, time, values, and commitment: “What we have here is not available everywhere. Vall d’Hebron is the pride of our public healthcare,” concluded the President.
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Other works underway
Illa also announced that starting in September — although he added a “post-summer” to “ensure timing” — construction will begin on what is to be the hospital’s new outpatient consultation building, on the Teixonera grounds.
Although it was supposed to be ready by 2026, the 10-story, 70 million euro building will finally open next year to receive more than a million patients annually. It will be located on the other side of the Ronda de Dalt, with only pediatric consultations excluded.
With this project, in addition to those at Clínic or Trueta, Illa wanted to deepen the Government’s “commitment” to healthcare as a demonstration of the “values that inspire Catalonia.”
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