A NEW sensory room for young people with learning disabilities and long-term mental health conditions has been created at a Bournemouth vaccination centre.

The room at the King’s Park vaccination centre in Boscombe is for those aged 12 to 15 to use before and during their Covid-19 vaccine to help them keep calm. It avoids the youngsters having to utilise a communal waiting area that may be noisy or cause anxiety.

Lisa Midgley, Dorset HealthCare’s Covid nursing manager, said: “This new sensory room will ensure young people who may struggle in the usual clinic setting can now get vaccinated, and we will accommodate each young person to suit their needs. We hope this encourages more people to visit the King’s Park site to get protected.”

King’s Park is the first vaccination site in the south of England to have this type of dedicated space.

It features colour and brightness-adjustable LED lights, a machine that plays soft calming sounds, an aromatherapy diffuser and a bubble light with floating fish that bob up and down to create a calming atmosphere.

So far more than 50 young people have used the room, and the feedback has been described as “very positive”.

Parents and carers can book the sensory room and a vaccination appointment for a young person with additional needs by emailing dhc.covidvaccinations1215plus@nhs.net or calling 07552 007714.