Barts and The London Children's Hospital | Activities for children | Creative health

Creative health

Play specialist Francesca James with a patient in the play room

Our team of play specialists help to support children and their families by using play techniques to help explain treatment and take their minds off painful procedures. Play specialists can help reassure a child before surgery by using toys and real hospital equipment to explain what’s about to happen. Breathing techniques and guided imagery - asking the child to visualise their favourite place - can also help children to relax and cope better.

“The main part of my job is to make a child’s time here as comfortable as possible. I help their recovery by relaxing them, keeping them occupied and taking their mind off the pain they’re in,” says Michelle Teague, Play Specialist.