But Bowral and District Hospital and the Starlight Children's Foundation are doing their best to change that, opening a brand new Fun Centre in the children's ward.

The Fun Centres are particularly designed for seriously ill children who may not be able to leave their beds, when their hospital stay becomes lonely, painful or just plain boring.

Starlight described the Fun Centres as specialised entertainment units, affectionately known as "squeals on wheels", which can be rolled right up to a bed to allow children to play games, watch movies and use the Internet.

Rainbow of the Southern Highlands organised the three years of fundraising it took to get the new Fun Centre for Bowral, in response to a request from children's ward nurses.

"Thankyou from the bottom of my heart," acting nursing unit manager Debbie Ponig said after the Fun Centre was unveiled yesterday.

"This was a wish list item, even before we had TVs in here and you have just made it all happen."

The unit contains a flexible flatscreen monitor, a DVD player, Nintendo Gamecube with two controllers, computer with Internet access and a huge variety of preloaded games and movies for all ages.

Caroline Hannah from Starlight said the Fun Centre had been developed with advice from lots of children about what they would like.

And the all-important verdict from local patient Bradley Goodchild?

A heartfelt "Sweet."

To help the Starlight Fun Centres, call 1300 727 827.