Kids Club - Your Pay Leaders

On Ward 10 and Out-patients

Hello! Our names are Susan and Emma we'll be here for you all the time you are at the hospital. Here are some of the things we can do for you...

	Playtime and activities
•	We organise daily play and activities for both playroom and out on the ward.
•	We use play to help prepare children for hospital procedures.
•	We offer a wide range of fun and exciting art activity opportunities.
•	We offer a range of activities offering every-day play in order to promote an element of normality and continuity to children.
•	The playroom is always ensured to be a safe warm and inviting environment for all children.
	Emotional support
•	We help children master and cope with anxieties and feelings.
•	We help children understand their illness and treatment.
•	We assist children with coping with treatments and carry out distraction techniques.
•	We offer support to families and siblings.
•	We encourage children to trust hospital staff.
	Making it fun and easing your hospital stay
•	We will discuss hobbies and interests with children soon after admission.
•	We will provide activities to meet the specific needs of each individual child.
•	We will try various angles to prevent the children from becoming bored and then upset and agitated.

We are based in the playroom. Everyday we put out many different exciting activities. So during your visit you can still play and have fun. We also provide activities for if you need to rest in bed so there’s no need to be bored.

Any of you who feel unsure of any of the treatments you may need to have can talk to me and we will try to help and support you through these. Either by being there with you in the treatment room or just by talking about it to us.

Outpatients
When you arrive for your clinic appointment, your details will be checked and then you will be weighed and measured. After this there may be a short wait until you see the Doctor. If you decide to come into the playroom you will find lots of fun and interesting things to do!

There is a role play area, a puppet theatre and a rocking horse to ride, where you can let your imagination run free! Or you can settle down with a choice of books and magazines from our book corner. For those of you who like to build and create, there are jigsaws, large building bricks, K’nex, Duplo and Stickle bricks.

Each day there is an art and craft table set up with a choice either of drawing, colouring, collage, play dough etc. If you like to be a little more active, there are small bikes, large play balls, table football and a large traveling tunnel to play with. There is also a TV, video and a playstation to keep you amused.

If you have brought a young baby to clinic you will find a variety of baby toys available and a safe area in which you can play with your child away from the main room. There is also a separate, fully equipped baby changing area.

When it is your turn to see the Doctor, you may request that someone go in with you and your parents/carers. This could be the nurse or myself. We are able to provide support and distraction techniques. It is best to let us know before you go in if you would like one of us to be present. We can then talk through the procedures you may have and find out what you enjoy playing with, so we know what will be most effective in supporting you.

If you have any suggestions as to how to improve the playroom, please feel free to speak to us or put your ideas in the suggestion box.

See You Soon - Susan and Emma

xx

Updated Mar05