Causeway Hospital Emergency Department

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Introduction

A new bespoke sensory room within Causeway Hospital’s Emergency Department is transforming the care experience for patients with additional needs.

Designed to provide a calm and supportive alternative to the busy clinical environment of ED, the space features soothing lighting, calming projections, and carefully selected visual and tactile elements. More than just a sensory room, it functions as an operational clinical space where assessment, treatment and discharge can take place in a regulated and supportive setting.

Background & Vision

The initial idea for the project was driven by ED Consultant Fiona O’Neill, whose personal experience became the catalyst for change. Following the birth of her daughter Gracie, who has Down syndrome and required open-heart surgery at just three months old, Fiona returned to work with a renewed perspective.

Her lived experience of bringing a sick child to an Emergency Department highlighted how overwhelming the environment can be for vulnerable patients. This inspired a Quality Improvement (QI) initiative aimed at enhancing inclusivity within emergency care.

The Challenge

Emergency Departments are, by nature, fast-paced and high-pressure environments. Bright lighting, clinical noise, crowded waiting areas and unpredictability can significantly heighten anxiety for:

• Paediatric patients

• Individuals with learning disabilities

• Patients with additional sensory processing needs

• Vulnerable adults experiencing distress

In some cases, sensory overload can lead to emotional escalation, difficulty engaging with staff, and challenges in delivering timely treatment.

The Learning Disability Acute Liaison Team was approached by ED clinicians to collaborate on a solution. The goal was clear:

• Create a space that allows patients to de-escalate

• Support safe and effective clinical care delivery

• Improve patient acceptance of treatment

• Enhance communication between staff, patients and families

Crucially, this needed to be a functional clinical environment - not simply a quiet room.

Collaborative Approach

The project was developed through close collaboration between:

• The Emergency Department team

• The Trust’s Learning Disability Service

• Colleagues across the wider Health and Social Care network

• Service users and families

• Creative Activity

Creative Activity worked in partnership with the hospital team from concept through to completion. The process included:

• On-site consultation and needs assessment

• Collaborative selection of sensory equipment suited to a clinical setting

• Development of a detailed room layout and 3D visual design

• Professional installation within the live hospital environment

• On-site staff training to ensure confident and effective use of equipment

Careful advance planning ensured there was no disruption to Emergency Department operations during installation.

Our Solution

The completed sensory space incorporates:

• Soothing, adjustable lighting

• Calming visual projections

• Tactile resources

• Sensory regulation tools

• A layout designed to reduce sensory overload

The room enables patients to:

• Receive assessment and treatment in a calmer environment

• Regulate before engaging in clinical care

• Be discharged in a more supportive setting

It also provides staff with a dedicated space to step away from the intensity of the main department, build trust with patients, and communicate more effectively.

Results & Feedback

Since opening, the sensory room has already begun making a measurable difference.

Caroline Quinn, Acute Liaison Nurse for Learning Disability, shared:

“The creation of this space reflects our ongoing commitment to making acute hospital settings more inclusive, accessible, and supportive.

It is more than just the addition of physical space – it signals our commitments towards greater empathy, accessibility and respect for individual needs within our emergency care services.”

Early outcomes indicate:

• Improved patient regulation and reduced distress

• Greater acceptance of treatment and care

• More positive experiences for families

• Enhanced staff confidence in supporting vulnerable patients

• Better overall flow within the department when managing complex cases

Emergency Department Sister Lisa Barclay added:

“We had a collective goal to create a space which would help us to provide enhanced patient care, created with the needs of our patients and families in mind. The completion of the sensory room is a huge achievement for everyone involved and a real success story for Causeway Hospital.”

Conclusion

This project demonstrates how thoughtful design, lived experience, and strong partnership working can transform emergency care environments.

By integrating sensory regulation into everyday clinical practice, Causeway Hospital has created more than just a room — it has embedded empathy, accessibility and inclusivity into the heart of its Emergency Department.

Creative Activity is proud to support healthcare providers in developing environments that respond to individual needs, enhance patient experience, and support frontline teams in delivering compassionate care.

Start Your Sensory Journey

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