New video and playpack educates young children about what to expect in hospital

26 October, 2001

West Suffolk Hospitals NHS Trust has produced a new video and playpack designed to educate young children aged between 3 to 7 years about what to expect if they have to go into hospital.  The material will be launched on Wednesday 7th November.  Media are invited to attend Stone Cross Farm Nursery in Whepstead at 10am, where they will be able to photograph children using the playpack.

National statistics show that 72% of children under 7 years old will come to hospital at some point.  Of these, the majority will be emergency admissions.

“It is vital that children are relaxed and feel secure when they come into hospital,” said June Charlick, Play Co-ordinator.  “If they are familiar with the sights and sounds of the hospital, then they are more likely to find coming here a less frightening experience.  A happy child makes a much better patient than one who is scared.”

The playpacks contain items related to hospital life, such as nurses’ and doctors’ outfits for children to dress up in, medical equipment such as stethoscopes and bandages, toy ambulances, puzzles, books, X-rays and jigsaws.  The material is chosen so that children will become familiar with the hospital and its equipment through play.

The new video explains to children what a hospital visit may involve, and shows doctors and nurses performing routine examinations on a young girl, such as taking her blood pressure.  It also shows a boy who has broken his arm arriving at hospital in an ambulance.  No actors are used, and the children featured in the video have all been patients at the West Suffolk Hospital.

The playpack and video will be distributed to playgroups and nursery classes throughout West Suffolk and Thetford via community health centres.