With the help of funds raised by 2019 Dry July participants, patients and carers are walking into more comfortable and welcoming space thanks to an upgrade of the Westmead Hospital Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre.

New lounges and chairs, phone charging stations, TV screens, sound absorption wall tiles, and a fresh colour scheme with Australian-themed artworks are among the features of the five overhauled patient waiting rooms, designed from scratch with consumer input.

Lung cancer patient and Vietnam War veteran Steven Chamulko said he appreciated the thought that went into the redesign.

“When you walk into somewhere that’s colourful, light and bright you feel better, rather than somewhere drab that gets you down,” Steven said.

“I’ve always regarded Westmead Hospital as well-designed, with the open spaces and corridors where you can look outside and see Mother Nature. It makes a big difference.”

Architectural project officer Latifi Farah said, “The spaces are more modern and fresh with high-quality, Australian-made furniture that’s hospital grade but doesn’t look like it belongs in a hospital”

“We want people to feel more comfortable coming into a nicer space that makes them feel better.”