Our team annually picks a cause to support that has a distinct, philanthropic purpose. This year, Framery donated five soundproof pods to the Tampere Children’s Hospital.
The team came across the Tampere Children’s Hospital Support Foundation when they were compiling research for this year’s cause, and found that the organization was actively raising funds for the newly built Tampere University Children’s Hospital. Specifically, Framery placed Framery O and Framery Q pods in the Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry, Paediatric Haematology, and Oncology sections of the hospital.
After hearing more about the hospital’s needs and plans for renovation, we understood that thousands of families experience lack of privacy in hospitals around the world.
“I’ve seen dozens of families in situations in which privacy is an issue for example at Tampere University Hospital and quite frankly, it is saddening. That is why we thought Framery would be just the right partner for this fundraiser”
“I’ve seen dozens of families in situations in which privacy is an issue for example at Tampere University Hospital and quite frankly, it is saddening. That is why we thought Framery would be just the right partner for this fundraiser”, says Susanna Lohiniemi, Managing Director of Tampere Children’s Hospital Support Foundation.
The more we thought about the message, we understood that hospitals are places where we face the realities of life and at the same time long for personal privacy. This was a challenge we wanted to help to solve.
“We thought that there is a strong emotional message involved in this project. We knew straight away that we wanted to reach out to the hospital and these families to offer them safe spaces. It is utterly important, that these private and important discussions stay between the doctors and families themselves”, says our CEO Samu Hällfors.
Framery’s O- and Q-pods were placed in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Paediatric Haematology and Oncology sections of the hospital.
“It’s not unheard of that, for instance in the ER, several people can listen to private conversations between doctors and family members. Some hospitals try to reduce this by offering earplugs or similar distractors. We think that everyone should have the opportunity to be heard in a safe environment”
“It’s not unheard of that, for instance in the ER, several people can listen to private conversations between doctors and family members. Some hospitals try to reduce this by offering earplugs or similar distractors. We think that everyone should have the opportunity to be heard in a safe environment”, Samu sums up.
The project began in September and the first O- and Q-pods were installed in the hospital during October. In total, five pods are going to be donated. To see them in action, we decided to pay a visit to the hospital and ask whether the staff had experienced any changes in their daily routines.
“I believe that the pods have helped us to protect the privacy of our employees as well as the families’. It is easy to pop into the pod and have a confidential conversation about a family’s situation and needs. No reservation needed”, says Anna Hemmi, Nursing Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at TAYS.
Continuing on the same note, Tuula Olkinuora, Head Nurse in Children’s Neuropsychiatry described that the benefits of the pods reach further than just the patients and their families. Doctors, psychologists and social workers, find the quiet space useful when for example making notes or dictating thoughts about appointments for later use.
And in the midst of a stressful situation, a moment of silence and tranquility is all it takes to restore a little peace of mind.
“Sometimes people go in and pretend to fill out forms. Still, the main reason for stopping might be to just breathe and have a moment for themselves in the middle of a hectic day”, added Janne Räsänen, Head Nurse of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology at TAYS.
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You can also check out our day at Tampere University Hospital on Instagram!
