Sensory Pod for Patients

Hospital visits can be an intimidating experience for children, especially those who struggle with noise, crowds, or sensory overload.

Now, with generous funding from MAPP, Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity has helped transform that experience by installing a new Sensory Pod in the Royal Hospital for Children, creating a peaceful space where young patients can feel safe, calm, and cared for before their appointments. 

One of the first to be used in a Scottish hospital, the Pod aims to reduce stress and anxiety for the 120,000 outpatients who attend appointments in Scotland’s busiest hospital every year.  

Lisa’s four children, Marcus (14), Mason (13), Poppie (11) and Tomi (3) all have Autism, and were the first to test out the Sensory Pod when it was officially opened last week. 

“My oldest son, Marcus, is 14 and he hates busy areas. He is attending the hospital right now in preparation for dental surgery. He won’t wear ear defenders because he doesn’t like the tightness on his head. Appointments are usually a two-parent job where me and my husband come along. We bring along different things to distract Marcus, or I wait in the atrium while my husband takes Marcus for a walk outside until the nurse calls for us. 

“The new sensory pod gives Marcus a calm environment where he can close off to the outside world and it is perfect for him to chill before appointments. He was loving being in control of the buttons and relaxing while watching the screens without a lot of commotion around him.” 

The enclosed space offers a reprieve for patients, with LED lights and inbuilt Bluetooth speakers. The Outpatients Department hope that the introduction of the Sensory Pod will help to reduce appointment anxiety and create a safer, happier environment for young patients and their loved ones.  

“For some of our patients waiting for their appointments can be a scary experience. It’s our hope that the Sensory Pod will help children and young people to feel safe and happy within the hospital. Life is stressful enough for our patients, so if we can make their life a bit easier then we’re doing our job right.” 

Mhairi Stirrat, Senior Charge Nurse at Outpatients RHC 

Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity is proud to have supported the installation of the aquatic themed pod in the Atrium in the Royal Hospital for Children, continuing its commitment to making the hospital a friendly and safe environment for all children and young people.