What we do
The play
department provides normal every day play and specialist play
preparation for children and young people in outpatient clinics and
on the wards.
Play preparation or general play is a way to help children and
young people deal with any fears or worries about hospital, illness
or treatment and to form coping strategies.
Pre-admission programmes
Specialised play sessions at preadmission clinics prepare
children and young people for a hospital admission, giving them the
opportunity to identify and address any fears they may have.
Individual sessions can also be arranged for those who are
particularly anxious about their admission. Please contact the play
department to request this service.
Therapeutic play preparation for hospital procedures
Using specially designed materials and resources, qualified
staff prepare patients before going to theatre or undergoing
procedures such as scans, X rays and blood tests. This helps
children and young people to cope and become more confident. If you
feel this would be beneficial, please contact your play specialist
or nurse.
Distraction
Using a variety of techniques, the play team is able to support
anxious patients during clinical procedures. We aim to reduce their
fear by using distraction and coping strategies.
Post-procedural play
Post-procedural sessions allow patients time to play and talk
about their hospital experience. It provides the opportunity for
misconceptions to be corrected, and patients to be reassured.
Sensory
Sensory play is beneficial to all children and young people. New
sounds, sights and textures can gently stimulate children and teach
them about the world we live in. Sensory play is especially
effective in babies who may have been in hospital since birth and
are less familiar with noises outside of the hospital and for
children and young people with special educational needs or
disabilities.
Activities Program
The activities program runs on a daily basis across the hospital
and includes (subject to Covid-19 restrictions):
• PAT dogs (pets as therapy)
• Visiting musicians and artists
• Professional children's entertainers
• WeTheCurious interactive science sessions
• Scouts
• Radio Lollipop
