15 Minutes With...
Sharon Justice, Senior Play Specialist at University Hospital Lewisham
Sharon has been a play worker for over 20 years, qualifying as a Play Specialist in 2002. She works on the Children’s day care ward:
“If I am not on the ward, I will mostly likely be in clinics with children to make sure they are comfortable, and to help explain complicated information from the doctor or nurse. Back on the ward, I make sure all the children are happy and comfortable. If someone wants a particular toy, I will make sure that they have it and if anyone is having a down moment or is feeling anxious I will sit with them and talk through their worries.
“The doctor can also refer a child for a home visit from me. This may be when a child has a particular phobia about a hospital procedure, such as blood tests or sometimes he/she may have a fear of the hospital itself. It will then be my job to help the child understand the procedure, in order to make them less anxious. I will let them play with the equipment under my supervision (and minus the needles!) and they can ask me any question they want. I may give a demonstration of how the nurse will take their blood, for example, and I try to make this as realistic as possible so the child knows I am not trying to hide anything.
“I also hold daily classes to keep the children entertained, such as art classes and cooking lessons. Aside my day to day work, I also organise events to make sure a hospital stay is still fun and full of play. We make sure to celebrate every child’s birthday, and have entertainers such as magicians every month.
“It is my role to act as the child’s advocate, ensuring they understand and are happy with everything that is happening to them whilst they are in hospital. Although I use a lot of distraction techniques, such as telling stories as a child has a blood test or letting them play with their favourite toy as they are being prepped for surgery, my main purpose to ensure the child is not kept in the dark about their treatment. It is important I explain things in a language the child understands, whilst still remaining open and honest and so they are aware of and feel comfortable with their treatment.”
If you would like to find out more about the role of a Hospital Play Specialist, then visit: http://nahps.org.uk/