Talented young artists being treated at Darent Valley Hospital’s children’s ward have decorated a collection of useful bags for fellow patients.

Dennis Raymond is among the grown-ups being treated on Chestnut Ward, which specialises in cardiac care and was offered one of the telemetry bags.

The bags are used by patients to carry around their portable cardiac monitors for up to 48 hours, allowing them to stay mobile while in hospital.

He plumped for a very colourful giraffe design to replace his old plain one that had been purchased by the hospital some years ago.

Mr Raymond said: “The bags are great fun and knowing that they have been designed by the children made choosing my favourite very difficult.

“I must also say that I have found the hospital to be superb.

“This is the first time in my life that I have ever been in hospital and I have to admit I was a little scared.

“The staff on Chestnut Ward and other areas have all been brilliant and really put me at ease.”

Healthcare assistant Simon Harper came up with the idea for the new-look bags and enlisted the help of Willow Ward play specialists Donna Day and Claire Peirson, who asked the children to assist with the project.

Elsewhere, brightly coloured clocks have been installed across the hospital’s wards to help orientate patients with delirium or dementia.

Paid for by the Dementia Challenge Fund, the clocks are intended to prevent them from getting confused about the time and ease their anxiety, especially as they are in an unfamiliar place.