Information for parents and carers
Download leaflet
Play in Hospital – PIAG 430 (283kB)
Our Aim and Vision
To provide patients and families with good, quality and diverse practice which ensures our service is available to all. We actively promote the trust values in conjunction with the power of PLAY!
The team work together to provide a robust, motivated, and effective professional standard of care for children, young people, and their families.
The service is led by Justine Makin, who supports a team of Senior health play Specialists, Health Play specialists and Play Assistants.
A Registered Health Play Specialist uses ‘Play’ as a therapeutic tool to prepare and distract children and young people during medical procedures and treatments. Play is the medium by which they build relationships to increase compliancy whilst encouraging normality in an otherwise alien environment. A Play specialist will structure, supervise and facilitate activities whilst making hospital play FUN!
A Play Assistant role is to facilitate developmental and or structured play activities for children or young people according to their age and stage of development in the play area and at the bedside.
The Importance of Play
Play is how children make sense of the world around them. In hospital it helps them to express their feelings and worries, develop coping strategies and build resilience.
Play is beneficial in the treatment of the ill child. It can be therapeutic and stimulating and a distraction to what is happening around them.
The play team are here to support you and your child/young person in hospital. Providing recreational play, diversional distraction, preparation and relaxation therapy whilst delivering a positive patient experience.
Contact
If you require the support of a Health Play Specialist, please contact your Consultant/Named Nurse or email the play service manager at [email protected].
This leaflet only gives general information. You must always discuss the individual treatment of your child with the appropriate member of staff. Do not rely on this leaflet alone for information about your child’s treatment.
This information can be made available in other languages and formats if requested.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
PIAG: 430