Hospital uses toy scanner to help put sick children at ease

They had face painting, slime making, syringe painting and biscuit decorating during Queen’s Hospital’s Play in Healthcare week, when the playroom was turned into a teddy bears’ hospital. The idea was to help distract them during their treatment with aids like a toy MRI scanner to make it less frightening. Hospital play specialist Chantel Taylor, meanwhile, was keen to “correct the misconception” that her job is just to play with children all day.

“We make hospital a positive experience for children,” she explained. “It’s important when they need routine appointments. We get to know all the children so we understand their likes and dislikes.



” The hospital’s play team also set up a stall in the atrium to show mums and dads how fun activities help the children. The activities week was arranged by the Starlight Children’s Foundation and the Society of Health Play to raise public awareness of using play to treat sick children..