1957 The first staff employed to play with child patients at St.Bartholomew’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, London were called "Lady Greens" by the children themselves because of their uniforms.

1963 The first Save the Children Fund Hospital Playscheme was started at the Brook Hospital, London.

1972 The Department of Health and Social Security Expert Group on Play in Hospital met recommending the employment of play staff on children’s wards. Their report was not published until 1976.

1973 The first training course for Hospital Play Specialists was started at Chiswick College. This moved to Southwark College in 1978 and was the forerunner of our present training.

1975 Hospital Play Specialists establish the National Association of Hospital Play Staff.

1976 The first NAHPS Newsletter was published to coincide with the inaugural meeting. NAHPS now prints a bi-annual Journal and three Newsletters a year, which are on the mailing lists of allied professions as well as members.

1977 At the AGM, the first of our "Let's Play" leaflets was launched. There are now a series of leaflets, reading lists and booklists available offering expert advice on different aspects of Play in Hospital.

1978 NAHPS began organising National Study Days and Open Meetings. Today these are a regular and valuable feature of its work in training.

1980 A  DHSS Survey  showed that one third of all children's wards had paid Playworkers.

1981 NAHPS became a member of the Play in Hospital Liaison Committee (PHLC) joining the Save the Children Fund, National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital and Pre-school Playgroups Association.

1985 NAHPS initiated the establishment of The Hospital Play Staff Examination Trust, ( HPSET) to institute a national qualification for the profession..

1987 The first of our annual Hugh Jolly Memorial Lectures took place. Dr Hugh Jolly had introduced Hospital Play Specialists in Charing Cross Hospital in 1965. He was a respected and active advocate for Play in Hospital, encouraging the development of playschemes and supporting professional play staff.

1988 Certificates issued to first graduates of the HPSEB courses.

1990 NAHPS worked as part of the PHLC to produce the landmark document "Quality Management for Children, Play in Hospital".

1991The f irst pilot course with BTEC as the awarding body took place at Bolton College.

1992 Discussions initiated by NAHPS with the Department of Health led to the official recognition of Hospital Play Specialists as a distinct staff group in the Health Service.

1992 Hospital Play Staff Examination Board was recognised as an awarding body by the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act.

1994 NAHPS granted charitable status.

1995 The first Play in Hospital Week was held promoting the work of hospital play staff at a local and national level.

1996 First graduates of the joint HPSET/BTEC courses.

2000 NAHPS launch their website during the second Play in Hospital Week.

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