Health Play Specialists
We have a dedicated team of Health Play Specialists in our children's departments at both University Hospital Lewisham and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich. Our Health Play Specialists are here to offer comfort, enrichment resources and opportunities for babies, children and young people who visit and stay at our hospitals to play.
The role of our play team includes:
- creating a comforting and warm atmosphere for babies, children and young people to feel at ease during their stay or hospital visit
- offering sensitively led play sessions and activities at bed-sides for those who are more restricted or unable to play in designated spaces
- engaging siblings when appropriate to help make them feel more welcome
- understanding and providing simple, effective explanations to children ahead of their appointments or procedures
- using distraction techniques where necessary to support and put children at ease during things like blood tests, appointments and surgeries
- promoting confidence, fun and encouraging a playful environment to keep children engaged
You can watch this helpful video below to find out how our Health Play Specialists played a role during our patient Eve's surgery at the Children's Day Care Unit, University Hospital Lewisham:
Our play promise
We recognise all children’s right to play as part of the best possible healthcare. All our colleagues at LGT who working with children understand the importance of play to their care. We want our health play services to be of the highest possible quality and are committed to adopting and implementing the recommended standards.
Request support from a Play Specialist
If your child would benefit from designated time with one of our Play Specialists, the team are here to support. You can download and fill in the referral form below to make a request for one on one time:
>> Play Specialist Team referral form