Lack of play in London hospitals is traumatic for children - charity

Children in London's hospitals are at risk of trauma and lasting mental health problems because of a lack of play, a charity has warned.

Health play specialists (HPS) Starlight claims there is the equivalent of just one full-time HPS worker for almost 3,000 child admissions to hospital.

Research suggests a link between play and improved mental health.

A poll found that over half of children asked said they were worried or scared about visiting hospital or the doctor.

A recently published report, Reducing trauma for children in healthcare, highlighted the importance of making the experience of medical treatment as positive as possible, both for the child and the adult the child will grow into.

Seven-year-old Afonso, from Kew, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when he was three and he started chemotherapy immediately at Kingston Hospital.

He is still receiving treatment and throughout this time has had a positive experience of healthcare thanks to the hospital's play team, according to his mother, Susana.

"Afonso never experienced the 'fear' of hospital because of the play team. When we started treatment, he began to identify hospitals with play and toys," she said.

"He thinks he's going to the hospital to play, not to have scary treatment.

"The play team are like family. Afonso feels completely at ease with them, they play and joke together."

Chief executive of Starlight Cathy Gilman said: "Many children in hospital have to endure trauma, fear and pain because of the treatment they undergo.

"Children can develop serious, long-term mental health problems as an unintended consequence of their care."

Starlight is now asking the government and the health service to respond to the evidence that play, and the clinical support of play specialists, should be integral to children's healthcare and treatment.

Organised by the National Association of Health Play Specialists, National Play in Hospital Week, which takes place from 9 to 15 October, aims to raise awareness of the benefits of play in the treatment of unwell children across the UK.

The Department of Health and Social Care has been approached for comment.

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