The new Dandelion Room in Ward 36 brings joy to patients, visitors and staff.
5 JANUARY 2026
The Dandelion Room on Ward 36 was previously an underutilised space. The Corporate Improvement Team worked closely with ward staff to explore how the room could be better used to support patient care and staff wellbeing. Alongside several smaller improvement projects on the ward, the room was identified for repurposing to better fit with ward priorities and enhance the overall ward environment.
To mark the transformation, the team held a competition to name the room. The name Dandelion was chosen for its symbolism of resilience, survival and healing, with Joanna Bowe, Health Care Support Worker, coming up with the chosen name. The room was given a full repaint before Joanna and fellow Health Care Support Worker Jason created a beautiful hand-painted mural featuring Clifford’s Tower, dandelions and bees.
The refurbished room now provides a welcoming and calming space where patients can watch television or spend time talking, and where families can join their loved ones. It also offers clinical staff a private, comfortable area to hold meaningful or difficult conversations with patients and their families.
Vicky Davey, Sister on Ward 36, said: “The room was completely unusable beforehand. It was full of old posters, had no furniture, and was mainly used for storage. We are extremely grateful to the Corporate Improvement Team for her support and to York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity for funding the refurbishment. It really will make a huge difference to both patients and staff.”
She added: “Joanna and Jason have done a fantastic job with the mural, and it really makes the room feel warm and homely.”
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