Bright new look for UCLH postnatal ward

Swapping the standard blue curtains for sunny yellow ones has made our postnatal ward feel brighter and less clinical.

When it comes to improving patient experience, sometimes a small change can make a big difference. 

That was the case with a recent project which involved changing the colour of the curtains on our postnatal ward to make them feel less clinical. 

The project was initiated by the Maternity and Neonatal Voices Partnership for UCLH (MNVP), a team of women and their families, commissioners and providers (midwives and doctors) working together to review and contribute to the development of local maternity care. 

The team had heard lots of comments from women saying that the blue curtains felt dark and clinical and, in some cases, even had a negative impact on the mental health and wellbeing of women who had just given birth. This could trigger difficult and painful memories of times spent in hospital due to illness or previous negative experiences. 

UCLH MPV co-chair Komal Khuti-Dullaart explains: “Maternity is a bit of an anomaly in healthcare because, while it’s something that often involves a stay in hospital, the women who are giving birth or have given birth aren’t necessarily ill. We do lots of things in maternity to make spaces feel less clinical, such as birthing suites where women can give birth in water and in a soothing environment, but postnatal wards still tend to feel very clinical.”   

Komal mentioned the comments to our medical director for specialist hospitals Tim Hodgson and suggested that a change to a brighter colour could be an easy way of making a positive change. 

“Tim was immediately supportive,” said Komal, “which was brilliant, as we were then able to go ahead and make the change.” 

Tim Said: “Our patients have important things to say about our services. We need to listen and act. A small change like in this case can have a massive impact.”

The maternity team selected a bright, sunny shade of yellow, which Komal says has been really popular. 

“We’ve already had lots of positive comments about how much brighter and more positive the ward feels now. I’m so pleased that Tim and others were on board from the start and got behind this idea. That’s really inspiring as we work towards making our maternity service as much of a positive experience for the women who use it as possible.” 

Follow UCLH MPV on Instagram @uclhmnvp