 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
9th March 2000
Tylers Green
Bucks
Dear Jackie,
Thank you for looking after Joanne when she came in last Monday to have a stone taken out of her ear. I really appreciated your help with helping her to have confidence and not be afraid of the anaesthetic. She was not afraid or upset after the operation- it was a great help using the lip balm ion the face mask
She really enjoyed the playroom and all the different activities you had to offer. I thought it would be difficult to keep her mind off not eating from 9am until the operation at 4pm. But you made it very easy for both of us.
Please thank all the staff on 245 for making it a less traumatic situation. Thanks also to the doctors and anaesthetists for their patience and understanding.
Ali Banham
Walk into Ward 24 and what you notice first (and sets the tone for a hospital stay) is the playroom. Infact, as we walked in, my two year old son was totally entranced looking at the ceiling, which was decorated with lots of pieces of fruit, cheese, ice cream cones, each with a hole in it after a very hungry caterpillar had eaten its way through. Brilliantly coloured puffer fish also hung from the ceiling. The playroom itself caters for children from tiny to tall, from rattles to an electronic organ. From toys cars and garages to video games and of course, there’s plenty of drawing paper and crayons.
We were at the hospital for a pre-clerking session prior to coming in to hospital for an operation. Apart from protesting at being weighed (most probably because he was away from the playroom for 2 minutes), this introduction to the hospital was not only a great success for my little one but also for me. For him there were lotts of different types of toys to play with and hands to help. For me. Not only was I able to meet with c children’s services nurse and a doctor from the surgical team, but I also met Jackie Ellis, Senior Hospital Play Specialist. She started by explaining what would happen before the operation and immediately afterwards.
Using photographs, reassuring words and showing me around the various facilities of the playroom and ward, Jackie patiently responded to each of my many questions and also made it clear when the nurse or doctor would be better able to answer a particular query.
Later, on the operation day itself, it was the playroom leader who cleverly distracted my son while applying numbing cream to the back of his hands. During the one week stay, the playroom staff had toys, videos and practical suggestions to entertain my bed bound 2 year old.
In summary, the playroom staff provided straight forward and practical advice and gave informative responses which were always delivered in a confident but reassuring and caring manner.
"I think the play room and toys are very important, in a child's ward, without them the children would get very bored, also they are a very good distraction, when taking needles and things out."
Mrs. C. Booth.
"I believe play is important in everyday life, especially in hospital, as children need to be amused and occupied to help them feel comfortable and relaxed in a friendly environment."
Mrs. A. Harvey.
"Our son said that his first stay in the hospital was more fun and lots more to do than at school."
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson.
"When my six year old son got admitted to hospital we were emotionally upset/scared and very worried.
After settling in the following day Michael had found the 'playroom'. It had lots of toys and plenty of things to do.
Michael spent a lot of time in the playroom and it seemed like he had forgotten why he was in hospital. This took a lot of worry off of us as he was more relaxed and happier."
Mrs. Stoner-Chapman.
"My heart was broken when my daughter came into hospital, she is now having a very good recovery. The play specialists have been very helpful in helping me understand what is going on with my daughters medical equipment. My daughter would like to add that they have helped her not get bored, the play ladies have played a big part in Lesha's speedy recovery.
Debbie Ames. [Mother]
(Lesha was admitted in an emergency situation and was a very ill little girl.)
At the end of the Pre Admission Programme.
"Very helpful and reassuring information that put us at ease and the staff are great." Mrs. Kinchington
"As parents of an 'ex premi' we are seasonal hospital visitors but we still found this extremely helpful. Billy has a few problems and the staff listened to our worries and helped to put us at our ease. Thanks."
Julia Palmer.
Very helpful and well 'paced'. Very useful bringing his brothers down to see what happens so all the family can be involved."
Damian Carter.
About Play Specialists-
"A little known role, but invaluable."
Mrs. Collins.
"A playperson to us is someone who helps the sick child achieve a little bit of home in the hospital environment involving siblings and parents.
Also to help the child overcome fear of any invasive procedure. By being their friend. This would be achieved by forms of play- from finger painting to bandaging a doll. When Adam was a toddler they used feet painting to get him to walk after surgery. This involved his brother and Dad."
Sue Vaughan.