THE behind-the-scenes efforts to improve the experience of children staying at York Hospital has been celebrated with a superhero play event.

A dedicated team of play specialists and nursery nurses work at the hospital to help make a child’s stay fun by providing them with activities, toys and equipment.

Play in Hospital Week - which looks at the importance of play for unwell children - saw the efforts of the play team celebrated with a superhero event in the children’s ward.

Leanne Haycock, hospital play team leader, explained: “Play is very important not just on the children’s ward, but throughout the hospital, as it eases hospital fears and anxieties. It helps children to understand treatments and illness, through the use of models, photographs and medical or play equipment.

“This helps them to prepare for hospital procedures and treatment.”

The team creates a programme of play to meet the needs of each individual child which helps with their recovery and their development. Play-based observations can also make a contribution when making clinical judgements.

Claire Kilmartin, sister on the children’s ward, said: “Something as simple as a blood test can be very frightening to a child, particularly when they are feeling poorly, and the skills of the play team in distracting and encouraging children helps boost a child’s confidence and self-esteem.”

Play in Hospital Week celebrated the important role of the team.

Leanne added: “We develop good relationships with the families, which is crucial as parents often feel helpless in the face of their child’s illness. Parents are encouraged to interact with their children through play as part of the child’s recovery.”