Play at Hospital Week
Each year our Play Team on Skylark Ward help to celebrate Play at Hospital Week with the children on their ward. This year’s theme is ‘Play Well Together’. The team on Skylark are focussing on the quality of play between the parent or carer and the child. They are doing this with a number of activities scheduled throughout the week.
The aim of Play in Hospital Week is to promote the benefits of play and its positive impact on the wellbeing of children in hospital. Having a child admitted to a children’s ward can be daunting. The Play Specialist team offer a warm and friendly environment for families when they arrive on Skylark ward.
Claire Green is a Play Specialist on the ward. “We use play to distract the child as they’re prepared for a procedure, such as taking blood or a lumbar puncture” says Claire.
There are seven Play Specialists employed on Skylark Ward who have organised a number of activities. At the beginning of the week there was a virtual visit from the Giggle Doctor – who offers magic and comedy to children on a 1-2-1 basis. There was biscuit decorating on Wednesday; as well as sensory play and music therapy during the week.
“We also had puppet making with our younger patients too” adds Claire “Not only is it a fun activity, but for those children who are nervous about being in hospital, they can act out their feelings. We can then reassure the patient and their parents and answer any questions”.
The team also held a stand in the main reception of KGH to promote the week and the role of the Play Specialist. Ensuring at all times that they kept an appropriate social distance.Claire has been a Play Specialist with the Trust for ten years.
“The best thing about my job is knowing that I can make a daunting day a little less scary” says Claire “It’s nice to know that as a team, we’ve been able to put a smile on the faces of our patients”
Well done to our team of Play Specialists for bringing Play at Hospital Week to life at KGH.