After treatment

Post treatment play allows children and young people to process their experiences. By expressing emotions and understanding of the treatment. Helping to build and reinforce coping strategies for any future care. Reducing any fear and hospital related anxiety and aiming to create a positive view of healthcare. The Play team will praise the patient for coping not just bravery. Acknowledge the patients’ feelings of honesty. Celebrate the completion of the procedure or treatment with stickers, certificates and a choice of activity.   These techniques can include the one or more of the following:

• Patient repeats the procedure using toys and or equipment to gain control
• Drawing, painting, or crafting about the experience
• Gentle discussion during play about what went well and what was hard
• Sensory play, calming music, calm activities.   

By returning to normal familiar play activities, it can supports recovery, emotional wellbeing, learning and development. It can reduce stress and anxiety associated with periods in hospital. Rather than focused on the medical procedures it puts being a child first. Normal play can happen anywhere including at the bedside with the key message of play is not a reward it is a right. Here are a few examples of play used:

• With toys, board games or activities the patient can enjoy such as arts and crafts, board games, digital play
• Play that mirrors home or school routines 
• Play and social interactions with family and friends when safe and appropriate.