The Hospital Play Specialist
“Play can be a therapy, a medicine and a natural healer that promotes humour, happiness and
wholeness . . . an absence of fun, little or no playtime and a lack of laughter are common symptoms
of stress, sickness and disease”
Robert Holden (Stress Expert)
Play is a familiar language used by children as they explore, learn and understand about their world
and the people in it. That language can be lost in times of illness, injury or trauma – but rarely is it
needed more
Play is recognised by the Department of Health as essential support for children coping with
illness and hospital life
Our professionally trained Hospital Play Specialist offers a range of expertise in helping families
and their children to cope as well as possible with illness and treatment, closely liaising with the
multi-disciplinary teams in Children’s Services.
Children may feel overwhelmed by the strangeness of being in hospital and feeling unwell. They
may struggle to cope with daily life which has very different routines to normal. They may be
fearful of what is happening to their bodies and of the medical treatment they need.
Families may find it difficult to cope with their child’s behaviour in hospital – or with other
children in the family who are confused or resentful. Juggling the demands of work, home and
hospital may be just too much!
We use play because it:
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Creates an environment where stress and worry are reduced
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Raises coping methods between children, their parents and staff during medical
procedures
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Contributes towards assessment and diagnosis
Helps children regain confidence and self esteem
Provides outlets for feelings of anger, fear and frustration
Prepares and enables children to understand treatment, illness and the hospital itself –
including anxious visiting brothers and sisters.
Speeds the child’s recovery and return to their usual activities.
How can the Hospital Play Specialist help your child?
The Hospital Play Specialist offers support for babies, children and teenagers in hospital and the
wider community including:
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A visit before admission to see hospital, children’s unit and play area
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Advice and support on how to prepare your child for their hospital visit
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Familiar toys and games to help your child feel at home
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Therapeutic play to help your child cope with their feelings, emotions and stress
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Advice on going home and settling back into nursery/school
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Advice and support for your child’s brothers and sisters
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Physical and messy to play to allow your child to let off steam and support recovery
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Distraction therapy using play to help both you and your child cope better during
treatment
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Medical play preparation to help both you and your child understand their illness and
treatment
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Provide preparation and explanations for the following procedures: going to theatre, MRI
scans, CT scans, having blood taken, having a plaster cast put on or removed and various
other medical treatment
When are play opportunities available?
Our Hospital Play Specialist is available Monday to Friday from 7:30 to 15:30, when activities such
as art and craft, messy play and one to one sessions are available. The playroom can be used
outside of these times, but the activities when the Hospital Play Specialist is not there are
limited. At the weekends and bank holidays the play room is open but the Hospital Play Specialist
is not available.
You can also ask for individual support from the Hospital Play Specialist for any child who may be
experiencing difficulties coping with examination, illness and treatment.
Children, including brothers or sisters, must not be left unattended in the play room without
speaking to the Hospital Play Specialist first. This is for the child’s protection, safety and
security.
Outpatient Clinics and Accident & Emergency
Our Hospital Play Specialist is available Monday to Friday offering a range of support and advice
to you and your child during outpatient clinics and treatments. Please ask a member of staff to
bleep the Hospital Play Specialist if you feel you or your child would benefit from this service.
Other professional
Other professionals can contact the Hospital Play Specialist for advice on many topics including:
feeding problems, toileting problems, problems with taking medication, anxieties such as needles
or hospitals.
The Hospital Play Specialist is also available to come to nurseries/schools/colleges to talk to
children/students or staff about many aspects of going to hospital and her role.
Contacting the Hospital Play Specialist
If you would like more information about the Hospital Play Specialist’s role, how she can help
support you and your child or wish to visit the ward prior to an admission please contact:
Leigh Baldwin, Hospital Play Specialist: Direct line 01284 71273, Hospital 01284 713000 bleep 512