Overview
Play is an essential part of Childhood, it is through play that children learn about the world around them.
The Play Service has a team of qualified Healthcare Play Specialists, Play Workers and Play Volunteers who ensure that play is an integral part of children, young people and families’ care throughout the hospital. The Play Service is managed by the Play Service Manager.
Play Specialists can be identified by the bright purple polo shirts they wear. Play Workers wear pale blue polo shirts. One of our Play Worker posts is funded by The Archie Foundation so they wear an Archie Foundation T-shirt.
Our amazing team of play staff focus on the psychosocial needs of patients, we offer a range of expertise in meeting the Play and Recreational needs of Children, young people and families throughout the hospital by providing specialised and therapeutic play and recreational programmes.
Why is Play Important in Hospital?
- Play in hospital provides an outlet for emotions and a way of communicating feelings
- Play and recreational activities assist patient development, relieve boredom and are fun
- Play activities provided by trained staff help build self-esteem and speed recovery
- Play Staff use play and distraction techniques to divert patients’ attention from pain and procedures
- Play staff use play to help aid diagnosis and treatment
- Play and recreational activities helps to provide a positive patient experience
- Play Services provided by trained staff help children and young people gain control
- Play Staff can support parents/carers, siblings and can offer advice to families
- Play Specialists use specialised play to teach coping techniques and work on specific fears or worries
- Play Specialists use play to help children and young people understand and learn about treatments and operations
- Play Specialists can offer advice to families and professionals on how to prepare children and young people prior to admission, treatment or procedures
What is there to do in hospital?
The Play Service is supported by The Archie Foundation, the official charity of RACH, who provide resources and fund activities. The Play Service also receives ad hoc donations from other local charities and directly from families who understand and appreciate the value of the service. This support helps ensure that:
- The hospital has lots of books, board games and toys to help occupy patients of all ages
- Most departments have a play or activity area. Children must be supervised when using these areas
- Most departments are well stocked with a wide selection of game consoles and games.
- Play staff can advise you on appropriate play activities for you child during their stay.
- We also have access to a sensory and soft play room.
- We have regular visits from our Art Room artists, Therapet and Music Therapist
- Some wards have a recreation room designed for older patients
- We also have an Out Door Play Area for families to use
Contact Us
You can contact the Play Team by phoning on 01224 550358 or emailing Gram.playservice@nhs.scot
