October 7, 2021 • 34 mins
This week we are joined by Jo Pinney and Grace Welby who are both Play Specialists at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford in the UK.
October 11th 2021 is the ‘Play In Hospital Week’ in association with the National Association of Hospital Play Specialists and this week’s guests successfully applied to launch the festivities so we are delighted that this podcast will be able to coincide with recogning the incredibly impotent role that Play Specialists have to making the lives of children and their parents that little bit more bearable whilst they are in hospital.
Jo Pinney is a Senior Health Play Specialist at the Oxford Children’s Hospital and has been a Health Play Specialist since 2001- even before there was a dedicated wing for the children’s hospital. Jo has worked in several different areas, with her current role as a senior HPS within E.N.T and Plastics outpatients where she has been since 2012.
Jo says that she ‘loves her role and find it especially rewarding when we have hooked or sucked an interesting find from a child’s ear or nose’.
Grace Welby is very special to Hannah and I as she was one of the pay specialists alongside Sam Mortlock. Grace has worked at Oxford Children’s Hospitals for 7 years, starting as a Play Assistant on an acute ward whilst training on the job & qualifying as a Health Play Specialist 5 years ago.
Grace says that “she very much enjoys her role as a Play Specialist, normalising the hospital environment for the patient & their families through play, having the time to interact & distract children from what can be a scary experience but seeing them smile is the most rewarding thing!”
Follow the Oxford Play Specialists on Instagram here.
Visit our shop here to purchase a copy of the Thinking of Oscar Cookbook - Made with Love or Face Coverings. THANK YOU!
Thinking of Oscar website and contact details can be found here.
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Theme Music - ‘Mountain’
–
copyright Lisa Fitzgibbon 2000
Written & performed by Lisa Fitzgibbon,
Violin Jane Griffiths
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Jo (00:00):
Although it is very much about, as you say empowering the
child. By them learning to trustus through providing something
which is normal to them, whichis playing. That can then lead
to them cooperating in asituation where they feel
uncomfortable. So if a childgets asked to go and have a
blood test, if they've met usalready, and then we have some
(00:21):
time with that child. We canshow them the equipment that's
going to be used. Perhaps have alittle practice with a teddy and
do some roleplay, with thedoctor's kit and teddy's and
things. So it just then leadsonto empowering the child to
have the information that'sneeded in a way that's
appropriate for them tounderstand. To then help them
(00:44):
when they go into the treatmentroom and have those procedures
done.
David (00:53):
Hello, and welcome back to Episode 32 of the Not Mini
Adults Podcast Pioneers forChildren's Health Care and Well
Being. Once again my name isDavid Cole and I'm joined by my
wife Hannah and together we arethe co founders of UK children's
charity Thinking of Oscar. Thisweek we are joined by Joe Pinney
and Grace Welby, who are bothplay specialists at the John
(01:13):
Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford inthe UK. Now October the 11th
2021 is this play in hospitalweek in the UK in association
with the National Association ofHospital Play Specialists and
this week's guests successfullyapplied to launch the
festivities at Oxford. So we'redelighted that this podcast will
be able to coincide withrecognising the incredibly
(01:35):
important role that playspecialists have, to make in the
lives of children, their parentsthat little bit more bearable
whilst they're in hospital.
Firstly, Joe Penny is a SeniorHealth Play Specialist at the
Oxford Children's Hospital, andhas been a health play
specialist since 2001. Joe hasworked in several different
areas, with her current rolebeing as a senior HPS within ENT
and plastics outpatient, whereshe has been since 2012. Joe
(01:58):
says that she loves her role andfinds it especially rewarding
when she has the opportunity tohook or suck an interesting find
from a child's illness. GraceWelby is very special to Hannah
and I, as she was one of theplay specialists alongside her
partner in crime, Sam Mortlock,who looked after Oscar whilst he
was in hospital. Grace hasworked at the Oxford Children's
Hospital for seven yearsstarting as a play assistant on
(02:19):
an acute ward whilst training onthe job and qualifying as a
health play specialist fiveyears ago. Grace says that she
very much enjoys her role as aplay specialist. normalising the
hospital environment for thepatients and their families
through play. Having the time tointeract and distract children
from what can be a very scaryexperience. Seeing them smile is
the most rewarding thing of all.
(02:42):
We would like to apologise forsome of the sound quality during
the podcast. We recorded thiswith both Grace and Joe still in
hospital and unfortunately, theywere still having to wear their
protective face masks, whichmuffles the sound a little bit.
Once again, when we started thepodcast. This was one of the
conversations that we wanted tobring to you. Being able to
share what we believe are someof the stories of the unsung
heroes of paediatrics.
(03:06):
Good morning Joe and Grace.
Thank you so much for joining uson the Not Mini Adults Podcast.
This has been a conversationthat we've been wanting to have
and make sure that we did haveand highlight the incredible
work that you both you and yourcolleagues to as play
specialists. So thank you forbeing able to spare the time and
to talk to us.
Jo (03:25):
Thank you. Pleasure to be on board.
Grace (03:27):
Yeah, thank you very much.
David (03:29):
Maybe we'll start if you could just tell us a little bit
about how you've got to be aplay specialist. Then I think we
can go from there.
Jo (03:37):
I was working in child care working in a daycare nursery and
I saw the job advertised. Ididn't really know much about
it, to be honest, but I thoughtit sounded interesting. So
arranged to have a visit to thehospital to have a look around.
I was shown around the wards andthe playrooms that were there at
(03:58):
the time and then a couple ofdays later had an interview.
Somehow I got the job and thenabsolutely fell in love with the
job. Went on to do the trainingas I needed to further my
qualification to continue andthen have stayed for coming up
for 20 years now. So I've beenaround for a good long time and
(04:21):
have really enjoyed my time hereand developed my role and moved
into a senior role here. Verymuch part of the growing team
that we have.
Grace (04:31):
Yes, and I also started in childcare and it just so
happened, one of the childrenthat I used to keywork for.
Their parent Emily, who is playspecials here in A&E and always
spoke to me and explained herjob role and that's how I kind
of heard about playingspecialist and being in a
hospital. We always joked thatoh it wouldn't be amazing. If
(04:52):
one day you come to work inhospital Grace. Well, here I am.
I'm very fortunate to work withthis amazing team. I started out
as a play assistant. I was veryfortunate that hospital funded
me to do my junior animationdegree. So I continued that
degree during my workplace. So,Monday to Friday. I've been
(05:13):
qualified for a few years nowwe've been in hospital for seven
years. Not as long as Jo, butI'm sure many more years to
come.
Hannah (05:22):
Thank you. So perhaps you could describe for those
listeners that haven't been aslucky to meet you before what
the role involves. What atypical day might look or feel
like.
Jo (05:33):
For myself, I work in an outpatients department that sees
children who are coming in.
Perhaps for EMT related problemsor for dressing changes, post
having surgery. So these couldbe children that have already
attended the children's hospitaland need to be seen afterwards
or perhaps before they havesurgery going into the
(05:55):
children's hospital. So verydifferent situations. So for
these families, I can sometimesgo into the room whilst they're
having the consultation. Perhapsif the child needs to have the
doctor use an endoscope to lookdown their throat or have a good
look up their nose, ahead ofhaving surgery. For most
(06:16):
children that's a really, reallyscary thing. So I can go in and
try and do some distraction forthem and talk them through the
process and make it morebearable for them as they're
doing that. Or if it's a childthat's had surgery and perhaps
they've got a dressing thatneeds to be removed and changed
and redressed. Then again, I cango into the consulting room and
(06:38):
support them through thatprocedure. Which can be quite
scary for them, as the last timethey would have been in hospital
was when they were actuallyhaving their operation. So some
children come back feeling quitescared and anxious about what's
going to happen this time whilstthey're awake rather than being
under the general anaesthetic.
(06:59):
So that could be reallytraumatising. But sometimes it
works out really well and thechildren are very well
distracted and usually leavewith a great big smile on their
face and ask me to blow morebubbles because they've enjoyed
the experience so much, which islovely.
Grace (07:14):
Yes, and I work on a medical ward which specialises
in respiratory and cardiac soquite a bit of a mix. A lot of
our patients come through A&E.
They may have infections or herefor a long stay. So we're there
to help support the child andtheir family through play. So we
do lots of play on our ward. Wehave an lovely play room and
(07:37):
lots of toys and activities thatwe can supply for the child be a
tiger in the playroom or on award. This is all prepaid. So
unfortunately, we've lostfavouring, and lots of
activities and stuff. But wealso can do some preparation,
the procedures that arehappening for the child and
distraction for thoseprocedures, say a blood tests
(07:58):
from Canada. Mentioned, youknow, we're the masters of
bubble blowing. So distract themfrom the procedure that they
having done or the reason whythey're in hospital,
Hannah (08:14):
I will certainly come back to the distraction part of
your job because I think that'sa superpower. We were really
curious about what life has beenlike for yourself and for the
children and their families onthe wards during the last 15
months or so. Because our memorywas the one that you described
originally, that we were therefor a really short time with
Oscar. But there was a playroomand there was an outside play
(08:37):
space. He was like racing aroundon little vehicles, or you were
doing some art with him. Just areal variety of normal day play
activities for a child and wewatched you think of different
ideas for different age childrenas they were coming into the
play space. But I know that ourexperience will not have been
(08:57):
possible. So how have youmanaged to create a sense of
play or to what degree has thatbeen possible since the pandemic
emerged.
Jo (09:07):
So we lost the play areas, unfortunately and had to support
the children and their familiespurely at the bedside. So it
made us go into the child,explaining who we were and what
our role was and offering themsome toys. But because of
cleaning, infection control, wewere unable to offer them as
(09:29):
wide a variety of toys to whatthey could have had before. So
we really have to think back tobasics and think about what
resources we could and couldn'tuse. Just simple things such as
a book, we weren't able to givea child a book to read anymore
because we couldn't clean all ofthe pages in the book. So they
were gone. We had to give themcolouring with pencils that were
(09:53):
just a single use. So suddenlywe were finding we were having
to budget for lots of disposabletoys. We were buying travel
games such as Connect 4 andtravel cluedo. Various games
that were that were smaller andin a lot of respects, a lot more
fiddly for the familiessometimes to use. But we just
(10:15):
had to constantly keepreplenishing these things and
say, okay, you can play withthis whilst your here. Then when
you're well, you get to take ithome. So that was really quite
frustrating that we couldntbring the child away from their
bed as well, for a change ofscenery. Everything was
happening at their bed, whetherit was a procedure or play. They
couldn't move to the balconyspace, like you said, and have a
(10:37):
bit of fresh air and a good runaround. They couldn't come to
the play room and see otherchildren who were perhaps in a
similar situation to them. Sothat was really quite a big
challenge for a lot of us.
Something that's still ongoingnow, unfortunately. We've got
used to it more. I guess thefamilies are accepting that's
how play is now. Lots of them,they didn't know any different
(10:59):
to how things were before.
Hannah (11:03):
Yeah, I guess you've learned a few tricks along the
way of how to make the best of alimited situation.
Jo (11:10):
Yeah, yeah, we've got to go back to thinking of just very
basic. Let's quickly set up agame of hangman or something
where, you know, before we wouldhave given them a playstation or
got them whatever they wanted.
Suddenly, those resources aren'tavailable. So there's been a lot
of quick thinking on our feet asto what we can do with them.
Hannah (11:32):
Sometimes over talking to folk over the last year or so
there's been things that havechanged that they wouldn't
actually change back. So ways ofworking, for example, ways of
collaborating. That thingscould happen more quickly during
this time or something andperhaps some digital changes
that meant that they would takeelements of what had happened
during this time and keep that.
As we start to move out of thisphase of pandemic. But I'm not
(11:57):
sure that you're going to saythe same. Is there anything that
you would keep from thisexperience? Or were you just
working through it with thechildren and their families, and
it will be great when theplayrooms are open?
Grace (12:09):
I for one. You know, ready made packs for colouring
and stuff. That's actuallyworked really well. Sometimes,
you know as a play specialist,you have to do the background,
things like photocopy lots ofcolouring and stuff. We've been
quite organised, and we've gotthose packs ready to go, it's
just a matter of picking them upand take them to the patients. I
think those sorts of things wecan see work well during this
(12:31):
time. It's probably somethingthat we might continue doing in
different areas. But yes, I knowthat we will hope that one day,
our role will come back tonormal life. To work the play
areas and the space for patientsand their families.
Hannah (12:46):
You made me think of something else. So as well, when
you were talking about buildingtrust with the families, because
in the way that it workedpreviously. You would have been
in the play area or children andtheir families would have seen
you with other families or otherchildren. Then they could, you
know, when someone's justdeciding whether to start
talking to you or not, they'dlike peak their head around the
(13:06):
corner a little bit and make adecision about whether they're
going to come to you. Whereasthe way that it's had to work in
the last, however long is. Thenyou've been going into their
space straightaway. So that musthave been a different set of
skills that you intuitivelydeveloped to step into their
space and build the trust in adifferent way.
Jo (13:27):
Yeah, actually you've got to really sort of sell yourself at
the bedside as it were. Makethat quick relationship with the
child and the parent. Obviously,we appreciate parents need a
break as well. They might needto have 10, 15 minutes to go and
get themselves some breakfast orgo and have a shower or make
phone calls to home to lovedones. So we've had to adapt to
(13:49):
sort of selling our services,making sure that they understand
what our role is. That we're notcoming to do something medical
at the bedside, but we are thereto play and try and provide some
normality for the child so thatthe parent can feel that they
trust us to leave the child withus. Without the child becoming
too upset. Once they disappearto do what they need to do.
David (14:13):
Hannah's kind of intimated it, but Grace we
obviously met when you werelooking after Oscar when he was
in hospital. We had no conceptof play specialism or play
specialists or anything alongthose lines, obviously, until we
were actually put into thatposition. Jo, you said, parents
that are now in that positionwith their children just have no
(14:35):
kind of barometer to go byeither. So whatever you're able
to provide now is kind of it iswhat it is rather than kind of
thinking about what it couldhave been before. I think it
just kind of goes to show andmaybe just discuss a little bit
about the importance of givingparents that little bit of
respite. So we've done a lot ofconversations around play and
(14:57):
the empowerment of childrenduring that play. You know a lot
of things done to a child as itwere, whilst they're in
hospital, in terms of proceduresor operations or medicine or
whatever. But actually, theability for them to play and to
allow them to do whatever it isthat they want, that's a little
bit of empowerment that theyhave, that they, I guess sadly,
could potentially don't have asmuch of that at this point in
(15:20):
time. But just maybe kind ofreiterating or talking a little
bit more about just howimportant the role of a play
specialist is. For our listenersin other parts of the world,
child life specialist is theother term that is widely used.
Jo (15:34):
Yeah. Although it is very much about as you say,
empowering the child and by themlearning to trust us through
providing something, which isnormal to them, which is play.
That can then lead to themcooperating in a situation where
they feel uncomfortable. So if achild gets asked to go and have
a blood test. If they've met usalready and then we have some
(15:58):
time with that child, we canshow them the equipment that's
going to be used perhaps alittle practice with a with a
teddy and do some roleplay withtdoctor's kit and teddy's and
things. So it just then leads onto empowering the child to
having the information that'sneeded in a way that's
appropriate for them tounderstand to then help them
(16:20):
when they go into the treatmentroom and have those procedures
done.
Hannah (16:24):
That's a really important point that you've made
and we've had otherconversations about this because
in a hospital setting it mightwell be that many of the
conversations will go above thechild's head especially when
it's a younger child. Maybe oneof the roles that you play is
around that direct communicationto the child using language that
they understand. I think thatthose of us that are parents of
(16:45):
young children and you'll knowthis very well as well as it's
always a mistake tounderestimate how much they're
understanding. I think Oscar hada really good, you know, level
of understanding what was goingon and he was not quite a year
old but you know certainly fromthen through to early toddlerdem
they're usually quite smarthumans. So being able to fill in
(17:06):
the gaps for them and help themhave some kind of an idea of the
processes that are happening orthe procedures that are taking
place is important as well. Youtalked about the blowing bubbles
and you were half joking with itbut we've also had conversations
about when we first startedlooking at VR which was still I
(17:30):
know that it's in use inhospitals already. But we were
looking at different methods ofdistracting children and one of
the points that became veryclear was at a younger age it's
really hard to beat a 30 pencebottle of bubbles. Can you just
talk more about what the impactof whether it's bubbles or
singing songs or all of thetricks that you have up your
(17:50):
sleeve? What's the impact on achild that may start off in that
section feeling quite nervous.
If we're talking about somethinglike taking a blood test. How do
you go through from that beingvery traumatic to potentially
much easier for the child tohandle
Grace (18:09):
Making it thats little bit more fun. If you were to
imagine going for a blood testwe would always make sure that
they meet us first. Going toimmediately start with a list of
activities. So although, youknow, they need to get the cream
off and stuff if we can interactthem with the bubbles we can get
(18:31):
them more focused on that sideand the fun side and the
destraction of why we are therefor them. Sometimes you can then
put that into a little game.
There's so much you can do. Ourbad boys you can count the
bubbles and pop the bubbles andsee where the big bubbles are
and follow the little bubblesand you can in between all the
little process that needs to bedone with the blood test. You
(18:54):
can make it into quite a fungame and you know you win quite
a lot of little ones over.
Sometimes the challenge is achallenge that bubbles wont work
on some patients. Yes and againwe've seen in you know you can
have so many nursery rhymes andsongs that you can provide for
the patient and if they can seethat you're there for that side
(19:17):
of things and actuallyeverything is going to be okay.
If you can focus on me and youknow the parent that's in there
and normally it's a successfulprocedure for them. They're not
so nervous if they have to comeagain or visit for bloodtests.
We were red polo tops in thehospital so we are known as a
(19:37):
fun place to be. So once theyhear they can kind of have that
reassurance that this might beokay. I've met somebody before
like this and we had fun playingwith bubbles and you know, we
can do bubbles again or we canchange activity. So watching
something on YouTube or readingin my book.
David (19:57):
That's an interesting point Grace. Over the course of
both of your careers, lots ofthings have changed. We talk
quite a bit on this podcastaround technology and bringing
innovation into child health. Iknow you're looking at some of
those things and haveexperienced some of those
things. Can you talk about howyou think the technology can
actually either hopefullybenefit what you're trying to
(20:17):
do, and certainly, you know,from a child and parents
perspective. But there's also Iguess, potentially some adverse
sides to that as well.
Jo (20:25):
Yeah, technology's moving really well. It can really
benefit us in the hospitalsetting. One of the most basic
things that we use here is thatwhen we're preparing a child for
coming in the theatre, we filmedthe process. So people can
access that on YouTube and havea look at the hospital setting
(20:46):
and the anaesthetic room beforethey come in and have the
procedure done. So that's oneaspect of technology. Then also,
we're using technology todistract the child and just make
things feel normal. So at thebedside, they could be playing
with some game console thatkeeps them distracted and do
(21:06):
something that they would benormally doing if they were at
home. Then also, we're lookingat moving on to different
technology, such as looking intothe VR headsets. To engage the
children in a differentimmersive way to distract them
from what's happening in thesituation in the hospital.
That's quite a fast sort of newthing that we're learning and
(21:29):
trying to catch up. To find outa bit more about. We're also
very lucky that there's acompany that have put together a
simulation of an MRI machine aswell. So we have that as an app
on our iPads. So if we'repreparing children for going for
an MRI, we can help them tovisualise what that's going to
look like. To hear what it'sgoing to look like as well,
(21:49):
because the machine does make anoise, which they really
wouldn't have heard before inthe outside environment. So it's
good for them to experience thatand get used to that before they
go into the machine and beexpected to lie there still for
a long period of time. Sothere's lots of different
technological things that we'reable to use.
David (22:08):
I guess, children, you know, certainly our children are
very much due to the pandemic,as much as anything, had a lot
more time with technology, withtablets, doing all their
schooling online and all thiskind of stuff. So actually, it's
becoming more prevalent andchildren growing up today are
going to expect certain things,I guess, in terms of just
communication or distraction.
Wherever they are, whether it'sin hospital or at home, or at
(22:31):
school, or whatever it might be.
So I guess trying to keep upfrom that point of view is a
challenge, but also exciting interms of some of the additional
research and opportunities thatit could bring.
Grace (22:45):
Fortunately, you've donated us a magic card here, so
during the last 15 months or sowe haven't been able to use it
as much. But pre that it's beensuch a big change for the
patients and their families.
It's just something differentthat we can take their
attention. They have that halfan hour of lots of fun and the
(23:05):
magic carpet is attractive lawsand the children are able to
interact with the kitchen saythey're from fisheries and water
and feed from their hand, toplaying a football game. Thats
been a real big help. We hope toget it back out and use it with
(23:28):
our patients.
Hannah (23:33):
Okay, one of the other questions we had for you was
around career paths. So you'vedescribed how you both come into
the profession that you're in.
But is there a typical careerpath for being a play specialist
and the questions posed to youreally because to do with some
of the listeners out there ifthere's somebody that was
mulling over wanting to be aplay specialist. Then what might
(23:55):
they expect and and where couldthey go then?
Grace (24:00):
Yeah, sure. So to become a play specialist is a two year
foundation degree. Wescott andNorth Worcestershire are the
places in the Uk that take onthe course. Also, within that
you also have to do the academicside of things, you have to find
a two hour placement. So for thelife of me, I was very fortunate
(24:22):
that I was already at the playsystem. So I could do the course
alongside my job but a lot of myfriends from university, they
dont necessarily work in ahospital at the time. So they
would have to go you know, finda hospital that was happy to
take on them as a student tocontinue the two hours, 200
hours, sorry, placements.
Jo (24:43):
It was different for me because the foundation degree
hadn't started when I got it butyou do basically need a
childcare qualification first ofall and then go on to do the
junior foundation degree.
David (24:55):
This podcast is going to be going out during a very
special week in the UK. Which isthe play in hospital week. So I
think I'm right in saying thatyou guys have submitted some
ideas and you've actually beenawarded the hospital to actually
open it up or start it. So tellus a bit about that.
Jo (25:11):
So play in hospital week happens every year and it's a
celebration of children beingable to play in hospital. This
year we were able to submit someideas, as to how we could launch
play in hospital week. So wewere very fortunate to have been
(25:32):
chosen as the launch hospital.
So we basically sent throughsome ideas about what we're
going to do to promote the roleof play in hospital, different
videos that we're planning onputting together which will
explain a day in the life ofwhat a play specialist does.
Some poems that we've hadwritten about us, and lots of
different ideas of things, whichwe plan to do. The people that
(25:54):
looked at what we submitted,decided that we had a good plan
and decided to use us to launchit, which is really exciting.
David (26:05):
Fantastic. So what does that mean, in terms of the
launch? Will there be lots ofpress and social media and what
have you around it?
Grace (26:11):
Yeh
Jo (26:11):
Absolutely So there'll be a press release in the local
newspapers and from within thehospital here on their social
media sites. So that will reallypromote our role around the
hospital for people that don'tnecessarily come into contact
with children and playspecialists. So they'll find out
a bit more about what we do. Thealso, we've got our own soc
What sort of things we've gotlined up for the week ahead?
(26:32):
al media, which we launched abot a year ago, actually. So we'
l put lots of things onto oursocial media to explain a bit
more about what we're about,
Grace (26:44):
We've planned lots of activities for the children to
do throughout the week. Like Josaid, earlier, we're hoping to
video one or two of our playspecialists within two different
departments in the hospital.
Just so people can get a littleinsight as to what our play
specialists get up to during oneday, you know. Just read
awareness of play specialistsand what we do in our role
(27:05):
within the hospital. We're goingto do that by playing lots of
display boards within our wardsand hopefully, a little one out
in the main foyer of thechildren's hospital. Just so
people can see and have a littleread and just to focus it on how
we've changed our role throughthe pandemic, and made that
difference to the children andbeen able to continue our role
as play specialist from keepingthat smile on children's faces
(27:29):
in this past year.
Hannah (27:32):
It strikes me that one of the benefits of the events
and yourselves being the launchhospital is thinking about it
from parent's point of view. Butif a parents hasn't had the
opportunity to experience thebenefit of a play specialist
role. Then I think it wouldreally allay some concerns
about, you know, the experiencethat their child would get
(27:55):
whilst they were in hospitalcare. In terms of the other
benefits, you know, what do youyou want to get out of the week?
Jo (28:03):
I think it's just reaffirming to other
professionals what we do. Peoplemight just sometimes see that
we're we're the fun people whoare bringing paints to the
children's beds to make a messor just arriving with a whole
array of bubbles and other bitsin our hands that we're going to
entertain people with. The rollis actually far more than than
(28:25):
that. It's been proven that wecan aid recovery and encourage
children to take part inprocedures which they wouldn't
necessarily be willing to do.
But if we can bring a bit of funand distraction into it, then
they allow those things tohappen. So I think it's just
promoting the more seriousnessbehind the fun side of what we
(28:46):
do as well.
David (28:50):
The week specifically is, for anyone listening to this,
hopefully during that week,which is the beginning the 11th
of October 2021. So I thinkeveryone hopefully will be able
to look out for not only themedia and press that you guys
are putting out, but justeveryone that's putting things
out across the UK, across thecountry. But of course, as we've
discussed previously, we maycall you play specialists in the
(29:14):
UK, but in other parts of theworld there are child life
specialists and who are doing avery similar or if not identical
job. So it's a good shout outfor everyone. I think
Jo (29:23):
Hopefully it might encourage other people to think about
joining the role if itssomething they haven't heard of
before. They've got an interestin working with children, it
might be that they think, oh,let's find out a little bit more
let's do an internet search tofind out how to become a play
specialists and possibly that itmight be a way into the role for
some people.
David (29:42):
Lets just cover that just to make sure that people
understand if they are listeningand as you say, Jo, and that
could be interested. What arethe steps that they would need
to potentially take in order tobecome a play specialist.
Grace (29:55):
Yeah to have three years experience of working within
childcare and education. Maybe alittle bit of experience within
either the nursery or thehospital itself would also be
quite good. You apply throughthe Association of Health Play
Specialism and there's a fewareas within the UK that take on
(30:16):
the degree. It's a foundationaldegree in health play
specialism. It's one day a weekalongside work experience, or
your job role of getting thehours in to show that you able
to continue this role and getthe experience needed for it.
It's a two year course. Thenonce once you've done your two
years, you're qualified as aplay specialist to then
(30:40):
hopefully get a job within oneof the hospitals.
David (30:43):
Then there's a registration with the HPSET. Can
you just tell us a little bitabout what that is specifically.
Jo (30:50):
So they are the people that provide us with the
registration, so they're theones that look at our portfolios
every three years to make surethat we're still putting in the
practice that we should be, andstill learning and developing.
You obviously get a whole lot oftraining and information
initially from the course inthose two years and whilst
(31:11):
you're initially doing yourworkplace placement as well. But
we need to with HPSET keep up todate portfolio to show that
we're learning and,keeping up todate with all of the information
that's out there, as we candevelop our skills.
David (31:26):
Fantastic and we'll make sure that we've got links to the
Healthcare Play Specialistducation Trust. Also I thin
, to your social media as welland I guess if anyone's got a
y questions, then they can eithego to the trust or I guess, i
deed yourselves and maybe asany questions about becoming
a play specialist?
Jo (31:44):
Yeah, absolutely.
David (31:46):
So first of all, thank you so much, because obviously,
I feel like we've taken you awayfrom from the patients. So we
really appreciate you coming on.
We hope that the conversationhas given some, I guess, clarity
to our listeners about what itis that a play specialist does,
but also the importance of thoseactivities. We really hope in
the not too distant future, thatyou're actually able to get back
(32:07):
and do all of the things that Iguess you enjoy doing. But you
know, are really important tothe children whilst they're
being looked after in hospitalcare. The final question that we
tend to ask all of our,everybody that comes onto the
podcast is, if you could changeone thing, if you had you had a
magic wand, which seems apt inthe roles that you do. if you
could wave a magic wand andchange one thing within child
(32:27):
health, what would that be?
Grace (32:30):
It is important that we have a lot of play specialists.
We can run Monday to Friday, nomagic wand needed and we would
probably be okay. We need playspecialists seven days a week
covering full time days, sayingmorning, afternoon and evening.
(32:53):
Everyone who loves to talk,we're talking A&E and everywhere
else. We hope everyone has thatexperience with a play
specialist and is able to havethat positive impact from us and
make that experience that littlebit better.
Hannah (33:08):
Thank you, Joe and Grace. Thank you very much
indeed for joining us today onthe Not Mini Adults Podcast. We
really appreciate your time.
It's been great chatting withyou.
Jo (33:17):
Thank you.
Grace (33:18):
Yes, thank you very much.
David (33:22):
Thank you so much to Jo and Grace for joining us on this
week's Not Mini Adults Podcastand we wish everybody
celebrating play in hospitalweek all the fun and joy and
laughter that hopefully willcome with it. Next week we will
be talking about adversechildhood experiences and we are
delighted to welcome SarahMariecos who is the executive
director of Ace ResearchNetwork. If you'd like to do any
(33:46):
pre reading then please look outfor Dr. Nadine Burke Harris's
book Toxic Childhood Stress.
Thank you so much for listeningto the Not Mini Adults Podcast.
We really hope that you'reenjoying it and if you are then
please do leave us a review. Wehope that you will be able to
join us again next week.
Although it is very much about, as you say empowering the
child. By them learning to trustus through providing something
which is normal to them, whichis playing. That can then lead
to them cooperating in asituation where they feel
uncomfortable. So if a childgets asked to go and have a
blood test, if they've met usalready, and then we have some
(00:21):
time with that child. We canshow them the equipment that's
going to be used. Perhaps have alittle practice with a teddy and
do some roleplay, with thedoctor's kit and teddy's and
things. So it just then leadsonto empowering the child to
have the information that'sneeded in a way that's
appropriate for them tounderstand. To then help them
(00:44):
when they go into the treatmentroom and have those procedures
done.
David (00:53):
Hello, and welcome back to Episode 32 of the Not Mini
Adults Podcast Pioneers forChildren's Health Care and Well
Being. Once again my name isDavid Cole and I'm joined by my
wife Hannah and together we arethe co founders of UK children's
charity Thinking of Oscar. Thisweek we are joined by Joe Pinney
and Grace Welby, who are bothplay specialists at the John
(01:13):
Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford inthe UK. Now October the 11th
2021 is this play in hospitalweek in the UK in association
with the National Association ofHospital Play Specialists and
this week's guests successfullyapplied to launch the
festivities at Oxford. So we'redelighted that this podcast will
be able to coincide withrecognising the incredibly
(01:35):
important role that playspecialists have, to make in the
lives of children, their parentsthat little bit more bearable
whilst they're in hospital.
Firstly, Joe Penny is a SeniorHealth Play Specialist at the
Oxford Children's Hospital, andhas been a health play
specialist since 2001. Joe hasworked in several different
areas, with her current rolebeing as a senior HPS within ENT
and plastics outpatient, whereshe has been since 2012. Joe
(01:58):
says that she loves her role andfinds it especially rewarding
when she has the opportunity tohook or suck an interesting find
from a child's illness. GraceWelby is very special to Hannah
and I, as she was one of theplay specialists alongside her
partner in crime, Sam Mortlock,who looked after Oscar whilst he
was in hospital. Grace hasworked at the Oxford Children's
Hospital for seven yearsstarting as a play assistant on
(02:19):
an acute ward whilst training onthe job and qualifying as a
health play specialist fiveyears ago. Grace says that she
very much enjoys her role as aplay specialist. normalising the
hospital environment for thepatients and their families
through play. Having the time tointeract and distract children
from what can be a very scaryexperience. Seeing them smile is
the most rewarding thing of all.
(02:42):
We would like to apologise forsome of the sound quality during
the podcast. We recorded thiswith both Grace and Joe still in
hospital and unfortunately, theywere still having to wear their
protective face masks, whichmuffles the sound a little bit.
Once again, when we started thepodcast. This was one of the
conversations that we wanted tobring to you. Being able to
share what we believe are someof the stories of the unsung
heroes of paediatrics.
(03:06):
Good morning Joe and Grace.
Thank you so much for joining uson the Not Mini Adults Podcast.
This has been a conversationthat we've been wanting to have
and make sure that we did haveand highlight the incredible
work that you both you and yourcolleagues to as play
specialists. So thank you forbeing able to spare the time and
to talk to us.
Jo (03:25):
Thank you. Pleasure to be on board.
Grace (03:27):
Yeah, thank you very much.
David (03:29):
Maybe we'll start if you could just tell us a little bit
about how you've got to be aplay specialist. Then I think we
can go from there.
Jo (03:37):
I was working in child care working in a daycare nursery and
I saw the job advertised. Ididn't really know much about
it, to be honest, but I thoughtit sounded interesting. So
arranged to have a visit to thehospital to have a look around.
I was shown around the wards andthe playrooms that were there at
(03:58):
the time and then a couple ofdays later had an interview.
Somehow I got the job and thenabsolutely fell in love with the
job. Went on to do the trainingas I needed to further my
qualification to continue andthen have stayed for coming up
for 20 years now. So I've beenaround for a good long time and
(04:21):
have really enjoyed my time hereand developed my role and moved
into a senior role here. Verymuch part of the growing team
that we have.
Grace (04:31):
Yes, and I also started in childcare and it just so
happened, one of the childrenthat I used to keywork for.
Their parent Emily, who is playspecials here in A&E and always
spoke to me and explained herjob role and that's how I kind
of heard about playingspecialist and being in a
hospital. We always joked thatoh it wouldn't be amazing. If
(04:52):
one day you come to work inhospital Grace. Well, here I am.
I'm very fortunate to work withthis amazing team. I started out
as a play assistant. I was veryfortunate that hospital funded
me to do my junior animationdegree. So I continued that
degree during my workplace. So,Monday to Friday. I've been
(05:13):
qualified for a few years nowwe've been in hospital for seven
years. Not as long as Jo, butI'm sure many more years to
come.
Hannah (05:22):
Thank you. So perhaps you could describe for those
listeners that haven't been aslucky to meet you before what
the role involves. What atypical day might look or feel
like.
Jo (05:33):
For myself, I work in an outpatients department that sees
children who are coming in.
Perhaps for EMT related problemsor for dressing changes, post
having surgery. So these couldbe children that have already
attended the children's hospitaland need to be seen afterwards
or perhaps before they havesurgery going into the
(05:55):
children's hospital. So verydifferent situations. So for
these families, I can sometimesgo into the room whilst they're
having the consultation. Perhapsif the child needs to have the
doctor use an endoscope to lookdown their throat or have a good
look up their nose, ahead ofhaving surgery. For most
(06:16):
children that's a really, reallyscary thing. So I can go in and
try and do some distraction forthem and talk them through the
process and make it morebearable for them as they're
doing that. Or if it's a childthat's had surgery and perhaps
they've got a dressing thatneeds to be removed and changed
and redressed. Then again, I cango into the consulting room and
(06:38):
support them through thatprocedure. Which can be quite
scary for them, as the last timethey would have been in hospital
was when they were actuallyhaving their operation. So some
children come back feeling quitescared and anxious about what's
going to happen this time whilstthey're awake rather than being
under the general anaesthetic.
(06:59):
So that could be reallytraumatising. But sometimes it
works out really well and thechildren are very well
distracted and usually leavewith a great big smile on their
face and ask me to blow morebubbles because they've enjoyed
the experience so much, which islovely.
Grace (07:14):
Yes, and I work on a medical ward which specialises
in respiratory and cardiac soquite a bit of a mix. A lot of
our patients come through A&E.
They may have infections or herefor a long stay. So we're there
to help support the child andtheir family through play. So we
do lots of play on our ward. Wehave an lovely play room and
(07:37):
lots of toys and activities thatwe can supply for the child be a
tiger in the playroom or on award. This is all prepaid. So
unfortunately, we've lostfavouring, and lots of
activities and stuff. But wealso can do some preparation,
the procedures that arehappening for the child and
distraction for thoseprocedures, say a blood tests
(07:58):
from Canada. Mentioned, youknow, we're the masters of
bubble blowing. So distract themfrom the procedure that they
having done or the reason whythey're in hospital,
Hannah (08:14):
I will certainly come back to the distraction part of
your job because I think that'sa superpower. We were really
curious about what life has beenlike for yourself and for the
children and their families onthe wards during the last 15
months or so. Because our memorywas the one that you described
originally, that we were therefor a really short time with
Oscar. But there was a playroomand there was an outside play
(08:37):
space. He was like racing aroundon little vehicles, or you were
doing some art with him. Just areal variety of normal day play
activities for a child and wewatched you think of different
ideas for different age childrenas they were coming into the
play space. But I know that ourexperience will not have been
(08:57):
possible. So how have youmanaged to create a sense of
play or to what degree has thatbeen possible since the pandemic
emerged.
Jo (09:07):
So we lost the play areas, unfortunately and had to support
the children and their familiespurely at the bedside. So it
made us go into the child,explaining who we were and what
our role was and offering themsome toys. But because of
cleaning, infection control, wewere unable to offer them as
(09:29):
wide a variety of toys to whatthey could have had before. So
we really have to think back tobasics and think about what
resources we could and couldn'tuse. Just simple things such as
a book, we weren't able to givea child a book to read anymore
because we couldn't clean all ofthe pages in the book. So they
were gone. We had to give themcolouring with pencils that were
(09:53):
just a single use. So suddenlywe were finding we were having
to budget for lots of disposabletoys. We were buying travel
games such as Connect 4 andtravel cluedo. Various games
that were that were smaller andin a lot of respects, a lot more
fiddly for the familiessometimes to use. But we just
(10:15):
had to constantly keepreplenishing these things and
say, okay, you can play withthis whilst your here. Then when
you're well, you get to take ithome. So that was really quite
frustrating that we couldntbring the child away from their
bed as well, for a change ofscenery. Everything was
happening at their bed, whetherit was a procedure or play. They
couldn't move to the balconyspace, like you said, and have a
(10:37):
bit of fresh air and a good runaround. They couldn't come to
the play room and see otherchildren who were perhaps in a
similar situation to them. Sothat was really quite a big
challenge for a lot of us.
Something that's still ongoingnow, unfortunately. We've got
used to it more. I guess thefamilies are accepting that's
how play is now. Lots of them,they didn't know any different
(10:59):
to how things were before.
Hannah (11:03):
Yeah, I guess you've learned a few tricks along the
way of how to make the best of alimited situation.
Jo (11:10):
Yeah, yeah, we've got to go back to thinking of just very
basic. Let's quickly set up agame of hangman or something
where, you know, before we wouldhave given them a playstation or
got them whatever they wanted.
Suddenly, those resources aren'tavailable. So there's been a lot
of quick thinking on our feet asto what we can do with them.
Hannah (11:32):
Sometimes over talking to folk over the last year or so
there's been things that havechanged that they wouldn't
actually change back. So ways ofworking, for example, ways of
collaborating. That thingscould happen more quickly during
this time or something andperhaps some digital changes
that meant that they would takeelements of what had happened
during this time and keep that.
As we start to move out of thisphase of pandemic. But I'm not
(11:57):
sure that you're going to saythe same. Is there anything that
you would keep from thisexperience? Or were you just
working through it with thechildren and their families, and
it will be great when theplayrooms are open?
Grace (12:09):
I for one. You know, ready made packs for colouring
and stuff. That's actuallyworked really well. Sometimes,
you know as a play specialist,you have to do the background,
things like photocopy lots ofcolouring and stuff. We've been
quite organised, and we've gotthose packs ready to go, it's
just a matter of picking them upand take them to the patients. I
think those sorts of things wecan see work well during this
(12:31):
time. It's probably somethingthat we might continue doing in
different areas. But yes, I knowthat we will hope that one day,
our role will come back tonormal life. To work the play
areas and the space for patientsand their families.
Hannah (12:46):
You made me think of something else. So as well, when
you were talking about buildingtrust with the families, because
in the way that it workedpreviously. You would have been
in the play area or children andtheir families would have seen
you with other families or otherchildren. Then they could, you
know, when someone's justdeciding whether to start
talking to you or not, they'dlike peak their head around the
(13:06):
corner a little bit and make adecision about whether they're
going to come to you. Whereasthe way that it's had to work in
the last, however long is. Thenyou've been going into their
space straightaway. So that musthave been a different set of
skills that you intuitivelydeveloped to step into their
space and build the trust in adifferent way.
Jo (13:27):
Yeah, actually you've got to really sort of sell yourself at
the bedside as it were. Makethat quick relationship with the
child and the parent. Obviously,we appreciate parents need a
break as well. They might needto have 10, 15 minutes to go and
get themselves some breakfast orgo and have a shower or make
phone calls to home to lovedones. So we've had to adapt to
(13:49):
sort of selling our services,making sure that they understand
what our role is. That we're notcoming to do something medical
at the bedside, but we are thereto play and try and provide some
normality for the child so thatthe parent can feel that they
trust us to leave the child withus. Without the child becoming
too upset. Once they disappearto do what they need to do.
David (14:13):
Hannah's kind of intimated it, but Grace we
obviously met when you werelooking after Oscar when he was
in hospital. We had no conceptof play specialism or play
specialists or anything alongthose lines, obviously, until we
were actually put into thatposition. Jo, you said, parents
that are now in that positionwith their children just have no
(14:35):
kind of barometer to go byeither. So whatever you're able
to provide now is kind of it iswhat it is rather than kind of
thinking about what it couldhave been before. I think it
just kind of goes to show andmaybe just discuss a little bit
about the importance of givingparents that little bit of
respite. So we've done a lot ofconversations around play and
(14:57):
the empowerment of childrenduring that play. You know a lot
of things done to a child as itwere, whilst they're in
hospital, in terms of proceduresor operations or medicine or
whatever. But actually, theability for them to play and to
allow them to do whatever it isthat they want, that's a little
bit of empowerment that theyhave, that they, I guess sadly,
could potentially don't have asmuch of that at this point in
(15:20):
time. But just maybe kind ofreiterating or talking a little
bit more about just howimportant the role of a play
specialist is. For our listenersin other parts of the world,
child life specialist is theother term that is widely used.
Jo (15:34):
Yeah. Although it is very much about as you say,
empowering the child and by themlearning to trust us through
providing something, which isnormal to them, which is play.
That can then lead to themcooperating in a situation where
they feel uncomfortable. So if achild gets asked to go and have
a blood test. If they've met usalready and then we have some
(15:58):
time with that child, we canshow them the equipment that's
going to be used perhaps alittle practice with a with a
teddy and do some roleplay withtdoctor's kit and teddy's and
things. So it just then leads onto empowering the child to
having the information that'sneeded in a way that's
appropriate for them tounderstand to then help them
(16:20):
when they go into the treatmentroom and have those procedures
done.
Hannah (16:24):
That's a really important point that you've made
and we've had otherconversations about this because
in a hospital setting it mightwell be that many of the
conversations will go above thechild's head especially when
it's a younger child. Maybe oneof the roles that you play is
around that direct communicationto the child using language that
they understand. I think thatthose of us that are parents of
(16:45):
young children and you'll knowthis very well as well as it's
always a mistake tounderestimate how much they're
understanding. I think Oscar hada really good, you know, level
of understanding what was goingon and he was not quite a year
old but you know certainly fromthen through to early toddlerdem
they're usually quite smarthumans. So being able to fill in
(17:06):
the gaps for them and help themhave some kind of an idea of the
processes that are happening orthe procedures that are taking
place is important as well. Youtalked about the blowing bubbles
and you were half joking with itbut we've also had conversations
about when we first startedlooking at VR which was still I
(17:30):
know that it's in use inhospitals already. But we were
looking at different methods ofdistracting children and one of
the points that became veryclear was at a younger age it's
really hard to beat a 30 pencebottle of bubbles. Can you just
talk more about what the impactof whether it's bubbles or
singing songs or all of thetricks that you have up your
(17:50):
sleeve? What's the impact on achild that may start off in that
section feeling quite nervous.
If we're talking about somethinglike taking a blood test. How do
you go through from that beingvery traumatic to potentially
much easier for the child tohandle
Grace (18:09):
Making it thats little bit more fun. If you were to
imagine going for a blood testwe would always make sure that
they meet us first. Going toimmediately start with a list of
activities. So although, youknow, they need to get the cream
off and stuff if we can interactthem with the bubbles we can get
(18:31):
them more focused on that sideand the fun side and the
destraction of why we are therefor them. Sometimes you can then
put that into a little game.
There's so much you can do. Ourbad boys you can count the
bubbles and pop the bubbles andsee where the big bubbles are
and follow the little bubblesand you can in between all the
little process that needs to bedone with the blood test. You
(18:54):
can make it into quite a fungame and you know you win quite
a lot of little ones over.
Sometimes the challenge is achallenge that bubbles wont work
on some patients. Yes and againwe've seen in you know you can
have so many nursery rhymes andsongs that you can provide for
the patient and if they can seethat you're there for that side
(19:17):
of things and actuallyeverything is going to be okay.
If you can focus on me and youknow the parent that's in there
and normally it's a successfulprocedure for them. They're not
so nervous if they have to comeagain or visit for bloodtests.
We were red polo tops in thehospital so we are known as a
(19:37):
fun place to be. So once theyhear they can kind of have that
reassurance that this might beokay. I've met somebody before
like this and we had fun playingwith bubbles and you know, we
can do bubbles again or we canchange activity. So watching
something on YouTube or readingin my book.
David (19:57):
That's an interesting point Grace. Over the course of
both of your careers, lots ofthings have changed. We talk
quite a bit on this podcastaround technology and bringing
innovation into child health. Iknow you're looking at some of
those things and haveexperienced some of those
things. Can you talk about howyou think the technology can
actually either hopefullybenefit what you're trying to
(20:17):
do, and certainly, you know,from a child and parents
perspective. But there's also Iguess, potentially some adverse
sides to that as well.
Jo (20:25):
Yeah, technology's moving really well. It can really
benefit us in the hospitalsetting. One of the most basic
things that we use here is thatwhen we're preparing a child for
coming in the theatre, we filmedthe process. So people can
access that on YouTube and havea look at the hospital setting
(20:46):
and the anaesthetic room beforethey come in and have the
procedure done. So that's oneaspect of technology. Then also,
we're using technology todistract the child and just make
things feel normal. So at thebedside, they could be playing
with some game console thatkeeps them distracted and do
(21:06):
something that they would benormally doing if they were at
home. Then also, we're lookingat moving on to different
technology, such as looking intothe VR headsets. To engage the
children in a differentimmersive way to distract them
from what's happening in thesituation in the hospital.
That's quite a fast sort of newthing that we're learning and
(21:29):
trying to catch up. To find outa bit more about. We're also
very lucky that there's acompany that have put together a
simulation of an MRI machine aswell. So we have that as an app
on our iPads. So if we'repreparing children for going for
an MRI, we can help them tovisualise what that's going to
look like. To hear what it'sgoing to look like as well,
(21:49):
because the machine does make anoise, which they really
wouldn't have heard before inthe outside environment. So it's
good for them to experience thatand get used to that before they
go into the machine and beexpected to lie there still for
a long period of time. Sothere's lots of different
technological things that we'reable to use.
David (22:08):
I guess, children, you know, certainly our children are
very much due to the pandemic,as much as anything, had a lot
more time with technology, withtablets, doing all their
schooling online and all thiskind of stuff. So actually, it's
becoming more prevalent andchildren growing up today are
going to expect certain things,I guess, in terms of just
communication or distraction.
Wherever they are, whether it'sin hospital or at home, or at
(22:31):
school, or whatever it might be.
So I guess trying to keep upfrom that point of view is a
challenge, but also exciting interms of some of the additional
research and opportunities thatit could bring.
Grace (22:45):
Fortunately, you've donated us a magic card here, so
during the last 15 months or sowe haven't been able to use it
as much. But pre that it's beensuch a big change for the
patients and their families.
It's just something differentthat we can take their
attention. They have that halfan hour of lots of fun and the
(23:05):
magic carpet is attractive lawsand the children are able to
interact with the kitchen saythey're from fisheries and water
and feed from their hand, toplaying a football game. Thats
been a real big help. We hope toget it back out and use it with
(23:28):
our patients.
Hannah (23:33):
Okay, one of the other questions we had for you was
around career paths. So you'vedescribed how you both come into
the profession that you're in.
But is there a typical careerpath for being a play specialist
and the questions posed to youreally because to do with some
of the listeners out there ifthere's somebody that was
mulling over wanting to be aplay specialist. Then what might
(23:55):
they expect and and where couldthey go then?
Grace (24:00):
Yeah, sure. So to become a play specialist is a two year
foundation degree. Wescott andNorth Worcestershire are the
places in the Uk that take onthe course. Also, within that
you also have to do the academicside of things, you have to find
a two hour placement. So for thelife of me, I was very fortunate
(24:22):
that I was already at the playsystem. So I could do the course
alongside my job but a lot of myfriends from university, they
dont necessarily work in ahospital at the time. So they
would have to go you know, finda hospital that was happy to
take on them as a student tocontinue the two hours, 200
hours, sorry, placements.
Jo (24:43):
It was different for me because the foundation degree
hadn't started when I got it butyou do basically need a
childcare qualification first ofall and then go on to do the
junior foundation degree.
David (24:55):
This podcast is going to be going out during a very
special week in the UK. Which isthe play in hospital week. So I
think I'm right in saying thatyou guys have submitted some
ideas and you've actually beenawarded the hospital to actually
open it up or start it. So tellus a bit about that.
Jo (25:11):
So play in hospital week happens every year and it's a
celebration of children beingable to play in hospital. This
year we were able to submit someideas, as to how we could launch
play in hospital week. So wewere very fortunate to have been
(25:32):
chosen as the launch hospital.
So we basically sent throughsome ideas about what we're
going to do to promote the roleof play in hospital, different
videos that we're planning onputting together which will
explain a day in the life ofwhat a play specialist does.
Some poems that we've hadwritten about us, and lots of
different ideas of things, whichwe plan to do. The people that
(25:54):
looked at what we submitted,decided that we had a good plan
and decided to use us to launchit, which is really exciting.
David (26:05):
Fantastic. So what does that mean, in terms of the
launch? Will there be lots ofpress and social media and what
have you around it?
Grace (26:11):
Yeh
Jo (26:11):
Absolutely So there'll be a press release in the local
newspapers and from within thehospital here on their social
media sites. So that will reallypromote our role around the
hospital for people that don'tnecessarily come into contact
with children and playspecialists. So they'll find out
a bit more about what we do. Thealso, we've got our own soc
What sort of things we've gotlined up for the week ahead?
(26:32):
al media, which we launched abot a year ago, actually. So we'
l put lots of things onto oursocial media to explain a bit
more about what we're about,
Grace (26:44):
We've planned lots of activities for the children to
do throughout the week. Like Josaid, earlier, we're hoping to
video one or two of our playspecialists within two different
departments in the hospital.
Just so people can get a littleinsight as to what our play
specialists get up to during oneday, you know. Just read
awareness of play specialistsand what we do in our role
(27:05):
within the hospital. We're goingto do that by playing lots of
display boards within our wardsand hopefully, a little one out
in the main foyer of thechildren's hospital. Just so
people can see and have a littleread and just to focus it on how
we've changed our role throughthe pandemic, and made that
difference to the children andbeen able to continue our role
as play specialist from keepingthat smile on children's faces
(27:29):
in this past year.
Hannah (27:32):
It strikes me that one of the benefits of the events
and yourselves being the launchhospital is thinking about it
from parent's point of view. Butif a parents hasn't had the
opportunity to experience thebenefit of a play specialist
role. Then I think it wouldreally allay some concerns
about, you know, the experiencethat their child would get
(27:55):
whilst they were in hospitalcare. In terms of the other
benefits, you know, what do youyou want to get out of the week?
Jo (28:03):
I think it's just reaffirming to other
professionals what we do. Peoplemight just sometimes see that
we're we're the fun people whoare bringing paints to the
children's beds to make a messor just arriving with a whole
array of bubbles and other bitsin our hands that we're going to
entertain people with. The rollis actually far more than than
(28:25):
that. It's been proven that wecan aid recovery and encourage
children to take part inprocedures which they wouldn't
necessarily be willing to do.
But if we can bring a bit of funand distraction into it, then
they allow those things tohappen. So I think it's just
promoting the more seriousnessbehind the fun side of what we
(28:46):
do as well.
David (28:50):
The week specifically is, for anyone listening to this,
hopefully during that week,which is the beginning the 11th
of October 2021. So I thinkeveryone hopefully will be able
to look out for not only themedia and press that you guys
are putting out, but justeveryone that's putting things
out across the UK, across thecountry. But of course, as we've
discussed previously, we maycall you play specialists in the
(29:14):
UK, but in other parts of theworld there are child life
specialists and who are doing avery similar or if not identical
job. So it's a good shout outfor everyone. I think
Jo (29:23):
Hopefully it might encourage other people to think about
joining the role if itssomething they haven't heard of
before. They've got an interestin working with children, it
might be that they think, oh,let's find out a little bit more
let's do an internet search tofind out how to become a play
specialists and possibly that itmight be a way into the role for
some people.
David (29:42):
Lets just cover that just to make sure that people
understand if they are listeningand as you say, Jo, and that
could be interested. What arethe steps that they would need
to potentially take in order tobecome a play specialist.
Grace (29:55):
Yeah to have three years experience of working within
childcare and education. Maybe alittle bit of experience within
either the nursery or thehospital itself would also be
quite good. You apply throughthe Association of Health Play
Specialism and there's a fewareas within the UK that take on
(30:16):
the degree. It's a foundationaldegree in health play
specialism. It's one day a weekalongside work experience, or
your job role of getting thehours in to show that you able
to continue this role and getthe experience needed for it.
It's a two year course. Thenonce once you've done your two
years, you're qualified as aplay specialist to then
(30:40):
hopefully get a job within oneof the hospitals.
David (30:43):
Then there's a registration with the HPSET. Can
you just tell us a little bitabout what that is specifically.
Jo (30:50):
So they are the people that provide us with the
registration, so they're theones that look at our portfolios
every three years to make surethat we're still putting in the
practice that we should be, andstill learning and developing.
You obviously get a whole lot oftraining and information
initially from the course inthose two years and whilst
(31:11):
you're initially doing yourworkplace placement as well. But
we need to with HPSET keep up todate portfolio to show that
we're learning and,keeping up todate with all of the information
that's out there, as we candevelop our skills.
David (31:26):
Fantastic and we'll make sure that we've got links to the
Healthcare Play Specialistducation Trust. Also I thin
, to your social media as welland I guess if anyone's got a
y questions, then they can eithego to the trust or I guess, i
deed yourselves and maybe asany questions about becoming
a play specialist?
Jo (31:44):
Yeah, absolutely.
David (31:46):
So first of all, thank you so much, because obviously,
I feel like we've taken you awayfrom from the patients. So we
really appreciate you coming on.
We hope that the conversationhas given some, I guess, clarity
to our listeners about what itis that a play specialist does,
but also the importance of thoseactivities. We really hope in
the not too distant future, thatyou're actually able to get back
(32:07):
and do all of the things that Iguess you enjoy doing. But you
know, are really important tothe children whilst they're
being looked after in hospitalcare. The final question that we
tend to ask all of our,everybody that comes onto the
podcast is, if you could changeone thing, if you had you had a
magic wand, which seems apt inthe roles that you do. if you
could wave a magic wand andchange one thing within child
(32:27):
health, what would that be?
Grace (32:30):
It is important that we have a lot of play specialists.
We can run Monday to Friday, nomagic wand needed and we would
probably be okay. We need playspecialists seven days a week
covering full time days, sayingmorning, afternoon and evening.
(32:53):
Everyone who loves to talk,we're talking A&E and everywhere
else. We hope everyone has thatexperience with a play
specialist and is able to havethat positive impact from us and
make that experience that littlebit better.
Hannah (33:08):
Thank you, Joe and Grace. Thank you very much
indeed for joining us today onthe Not Mini Adults Podcast. We
really appreciate your time.
It's been great chatting withyou.
Jo (33:17):
Thank you.
Grace (33:18):
Yes, thank you very much.
David (33:22):
Thank you so much to Jo and Grace for joining us on this
week's Not Mini Adults Podcastand we wish everybody
celebrating play in hospitalweek all the fun and joy and
laughter that hopefully willcome with it. Next week we will
be talking about adversechildhood experiences and we are
delighted to welcome SarahMariecos who is the executive
director of Ace ResearchNetwork. If you'd like to do any
(33:46):
pre reading then please look outfor Dr. Nadine Burke Harris's
book Toxic Childhood Stress.
Thank you so much for listeningto the Not Mini Adults Podcast.
We really hope that you'reenjoying it and if you are then
please do leave us a review. Wehope that you will be able to
join us again next week.
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