Prince Charles Hospital launches Wales' first immersive room to support children in A&E

A new immersive room designed to reduce anxiety and create a calmer experience for children attending A&E has been officially launched at Prince Charles Hospital today. The space is the first of its kind in Wales and marks a significant step in improving the experience of emergency care for young patients.

Located in the Paediatric Emergency Department, the room uses interactive wall and floor projection technology to transform the clinical space into a calming, sensory-rich environment. At the touch of a button, staff can change the room into a quiet forest, a beach scene, an underwater landscape, or an interactive game designed to help children focus, relax and feel safe during what can often be a stressful visit to hospital.

The project was inspired by the lived experience of CTM UHB staff members Robert and Gemma Cummings and their son Ellis, who was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. For Ellis, attending A&E could be overwhelming. The lights, noise and unpredictability of the environment often caused significant distress.

A short film shared at the launch tells their story. Speaking in the film, Robert said:

“When Ellis was younger, coming to A&E was really hard for him. The noise, the lights, the clinical environment – it could be overwhelming, and as a parent, that’s difficult to see. I wanted to do something to make that experience easier for children like him.”

Working closely with colleagues in the Paediatric ED, Robert and Gemma explored how similar immersive spaces, such as the one used at Greenfield School in Merthyr Tydfil, could support children in emergency care. The idea quickly gained momentum, leading them to launch a community fundraising appeal in late 2024 that received extraordinary support from colleagues, local businesses and families.

Together, supporters raised around 50 percent of the total £27,000 cost, with the remaining funding match-funded by the Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity. The system was supplied and installed by audio, visual and digital signage specialists, All Office Ltd / Future Visuals, who worked in close partnership with Clinical, Estates, and Digital teams to deliver a transformative space that improves comfort, confidence and wellbeing for young patients.

Kelly Price, Sales Manager at All Office Ltd, said:

“When Robert approached me after seeing our immersive classroom at his son’s school, I knew this project would make a real difference for families like his. As a parent who has spent time in ED with a sick child, this was very personal. It has been a privilege to help bring this project to life.”

Robert added:

“Thanks to the generous support of our community and the Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity, we’ve been able to bring this idea to life. The immersive room shows what’s possible when people care and work together to make a difference. Together, we can make good things happen.”

A legacy for families across Cwm Taf Morgannwg
For children who struggle with busy or unfamiliar environments, especially neurodiverse patients and those with additional learning needs, the immersive room offers a predictable, calming and sensory-supportive space that brings immediate comfort. It also helps clinical staff manage distress, reduce escalation, and create a more compassionate, patient-centred care experience.

Deborah Matthews, CTM Director of Nursing for Unscheduled Care, welcomed the project:

“This a significant step forward for people experience within emergency care. The room gives our teams a powerful new tool to support children emotionally as well as clinically, creating a safer, calmer and more positive environment for families.”

Abe Sampson, Head of Cwm Taf Morgannwg NHS Charity, said:

“This room shows what’s possible when staff, our Charity and the community work together. Rob and Gemma’s generosity, and the support of everyone who joined their appeal, has delivered a space that will genuinely improve children’s experiences. Our Charity is always here to back fundraisers like them who want to make positive change happen.”

As the first immersive room of its kind in Wales, the project introduces a new way of supporting children’s sensory and emotional needs in emergency care. It demonstrates the transformative impact of NHS Charities, the power of fundraising, and the positive difference that can be made when NHS staff, families and the community work together.

The room will begin supporting patients and families in the Paediatric Emergency Department immediately.

04/12/2025