Bronglais, Glangwili and Withybush Hospitals celebrate National Play in Hospital Week

WGH Staff from Withybush hospital’s PACU, from left, Mr Narayan, Consultant Paediatrician, Dawn Thomas, Health Play Specialist and Jenny Phillips, Play Assistant, with characters donated by Fun Times Bouncy Castles.

Play in the treatment of children has been celebrated across Hywel Dda University Health Board to mark National Play in Hospital Week 2015.
Play is at the very centre of a healthy child’s life. From the earliest age, playing helps children to learn, to relate to other people and to have fun. When children or teenagers are admitted to hospital, they are at their most vulnerable.
They are not only ill or suffering from an injury but are also separated from their friends and familiar surroundings. Play can really make a difference.
Hywel Dda UHB has Play Specialists on Angharad ward at Bronglais Hospital, Cilgerran ward at Glangwili Hospital and the Paediatric Ambulatory Care Unit (PACU) at Withybush Hospital.
Sandra Jones, Play Service Manager for the Hywel Dda UHB said: “Play is a crucial part of the care offered by us to children and young people and National Play in Hospital Week has been an opportunity for us to demonstrate the positive impact of play and distraction on a child’s hospital experience.
“It has also been great fun for our young patients, their families and our staff and I hope our activities throughout the week have helped to raise awareness of the importance of play!”
National Play in Hospital Week is always a really exciting time for the play service as it allows the staff to highlight the importance of Play in Hospital and help to promote good practice.
At Bronglais Hospital, the week of play-related activities included a variety of play activities on the ward and in outpatient clinics, with goody bags being given out to children. A display in the postgraduate centre promoted the importance of play in hospital to a variety of staff.
At Glangwili Hospital play specialists welcomed famous characters who joined in with activities including a Jambori session, a visit from Carmarthen town’s fire crew and a party on the ward.
The team on PACU at Withybush Hospital held a host of minion-themed events, including a design competition, photo booth and a theme-party on the ward. The week-long campaign ended with the 3 Amigos’ annual Christmas Toy Run launch.
For more information on National Play in Hospital Week, please visit www.starlight.org.uk/5D4
For the latest news and updates from Hywel Dda University Health Board visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk

BGH Bronglais hospital Health Play Specialist, Paul Harries.

GGH Glangwili hospital Health Play Specialist Team, from back-left, Anna Elias, Mina Stanton, Rachel Brown and front-centre, Mari James.

• National Play in Hospital Week 2015 was organised by the National Association of Health Play Specialists (NAHPS) and supported by Starlight Children’s Foundation, a national charity which provides entertainment in hospitals and hospices across the UK and grants wishes for seriously and terminally ill children.
• This year the week has the theme of ’40 years of Passion for Play’.