Mayflower Medical Centre (MMC)
Question - Answers and MMC Responses (in red)
Question 17 - Do you have any suggestions about what toys we can provide and
how we can prevent them getting broken so quickly?
Response Text
Books maybe ones about doctors and dentists etc. Colouring books and paper then
maybe display them in said area.
Strong sturdy items Thorough clean daily.
Wooden toys
Crayons and paper are a cheap resource that might be a good alternative and
could be donated by local businesses.
Yes put a foamy mat on the floor.
A playhouse. Maybe see if you can move it so it's in front of the chairs so parents
can watch the children and the screen.
Soft toys or unbreakable plastic
More hard wearing toys
Provide a TV with cartoons running one. Set in a box so children are unable to
touch controls. With soft chairs that don't drag along the floor so they sit quietly
hopefully!!!!!!!
Books may be a cheaper option and donations may be possible. You could also
supply soft beanbags/large floor cushions and make it more of a chill out area.
Quiet ones
if the toys are being broken wilfully i would suggest telling parents to bring a toy
with them to keep their child amused. Tell the parents why you have stopped
supplying toys.
Books, wooden blocks, metal cars.
wooden toys last longer than plastic ones
I don’t think the toys need to be too sophisticated. Children will play with most
things rather than be bored.
Sensory objects/toys
Soft and quiet toys; perhaps some gags :-)
Is the area where the toys are carpeted? If not, maybe that would help them to
stop getting broken?
Little tykes plastic toys last longer not do expensive
Books and puzzles are both quiet games, patients would gladly donate toys if
asked.
Building blocks like Mega blocks. Colouring activities where the children can
have their efforts displayed if they want. Colouring pencils and crayons are
cheaper to replace. Maybe ask the parents to supervise their children whilst
they are in there to prevent breakages of equipment. Maybe ask for donations
of unwanted safe, clean toys from patients.
Mayflower Medical Centre (MMC)
Question - Answers and MMC Responses (in red)
Get parents to monitor and discipline their children. If they break one perhaps
they should donate one back.
The mum should make children behave right.
There needs to be more responsibility put on parents
It is nice to have toys but agree to not having them due to lack of respect by some.
Responsible parents.
Patients should look after their own children and provide amusement if necessary.
Parents should come prepared, I would imagine most do
parental control
Parents shouldn't leave their children alone in the play area.
No toys! Most parents know how to control their children. The Centre is not a
place to pretend they are at a nursery! Have suitable books / comics been tried?
Basic toys if any are to be provided. Why can't parents bring their Childs toy(s)
with them?
If parents can't control their children whilst they play with your toys they either
should replace the toys (pay for them) or bring their own toys.
make parents / adults supervise children
Encourage the parents to bring their own toys to the clinic when attending the
clinic.
Children waiting either for their own appointment or accompanying others must
be supervised at all times by the accompanying adult particularly if they are less
than 7 years. At present the children are often very noisy i.e. shrieking or
screaming or racing around the surgery without any control. It often seems that
the waiting room is a place for friends & family to meet up and make it a social
occasion.
put up signage asking parents to control their children
Parental control would be good. my children never broke their toys
Parents should provide toys for their own children
Ensure parents watch their children whilst playing instead of chatting - notices
that breakages must be paid for?
Tell parents to keep an eye on the children
Donated toys by the public
It would be a good idea to ask people to donate toys they no longer need. Would
need to restrict number of toys in the waiting room.
Ask patients to donate clean unbroken toys.
Ask for toy money donations from patients.
I think it is good that you can provide toys but I don't think you should have to
fund it. Would patients pass on unused toys?
Ask people to donate 2nd hand toys.
Ask for toys to be donated.
Ask for toy donations from parents who visit the health centre regularly?
donations like magazines to
Large Lego blocks, wooden blocks, plastic tea sets pots and pans, plastic or
wooden trucks with wheels and handles. Wooden mixing spoons. Most of which
Mayflower Medical Centre (MMC)
Question - Answers and MMC Responses (in red)
are easy to clean and could be donated by parents.
Ask for donated toys
Books are a winner with kids. Sitting quietly and looking at something to read is
socially acceptable in a waiting room scenario. We should encourage our young
people to behave in this way and plus it is good for them to read. I would not
object to hearing kids read in the waiting area as opposed to bashing a toy
around! Books are cheap and people would donate them to you.
There are toy exchange groups, something similar may be appropriate, or
purchase second hand toys, ask for donations from patients who have toys they
wish to get rid of. Otherwise, get more robust toys and have the weaker ones on
a book out, book in system from reception with a small deposit system perhaps.
Cannot see any toy area.
Just let the children bring their own toys then if they are broken the parent covers
the cost. I am sure the NHS can spend its money on better things. If there are no
toys there then they cannot get broken and the parent may be more considerate
when the toys belong to them.
Electrify them
No is a harsh reply. Surely there are some very robust toys. Toys could be
'issued' to a parent/guardian, and their return required perhaps with a message on
the screen.
something for patient participation group to get involved in
Discuss with other surgeries how they manage this.
MMC Response Many thanks for your responses.
Unfortunately the practice does not have any more resources to spend on
toys for children who attend the surgery.
With regard to small toys such as wooden blocks we find that they get
thrown around and we have to be careful other patients do not trip up on
them.
We have been recently reviewing our Infection control policy and have taken
the decision to not provide toys in the future. This is also because it is
difficult to ensure they are kept as clean as required to ensure infections are
not passed from one child to another.
A poster has been displayed in the children’s area regarding this.