Health-related play is more than just a chance to have fun; it’s a serious business when it comes to children’s health and wellbeing. It can help children physically, mentally, and emotionally and is an essential part of treatment that can help speed up recovery either in hospital or at home. This award recognises a special person or team who’s made a significant difference to a child’s life through health-related play. Today we are delighted to unveil our Health-Related Play, Scottish Children’s Health Award Winner as Heather Beattie. Her story is captured below by journalist and TV Presenter Catriona Shearer.
As Play Service Manager at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital (RACH), Heather is responsible for managing and developing the Play Service, which comprises a team of Senior Healthcare Play Specialists, Play Specialists and Play Workers.
They help minimise any adverse effects of a child or young person’s experience with healthcare using their skills, training and knowledge to support patients and their families when navigating healthcare, treatment and illness.
The team offers support and a programme of activities to help relieve boredom, continue development, establish routines, provide fun, rehabilitation and help speed recovery.
Heather was the first person to train as a Health Play Specialist at RACH 33 years ago and went on to develop a Play Service to meet the needs of the patients, families and staff. As well as the management side of the service Heather has a clinical role in helping prepare families for procedures, treatment and in helping them to understand their conditions.
Through the medium of play she helps families to cope; ensuring they have positive experiences and empowering them to deal with challenges. “It is a privilege and so rewarding to be able to help a patient face and deal with things such as a blood test or scan,” she says, “Or help them understand their illness.”
One of the most rewarding aspects of Heather’s role is helping patients who have refused a procedure or are reticent to take medicine. She teaches them coping skills and establishes a trusting relationship to see them through the process. “I am always so proud of the patients when they’ve been able to overcome their fears and anxieties and undergo the procedure,” she says. “They are so proud of themselves and I wish I could bottle their smiles and courage to show others.”
In recognising Heather’s work in health-related play, the judging panel felt her contribution was making a huge difference in this area. They highlighted her creativity in making the best use of the available resources and gave special mention to her work at Halloween and Christmas that ensured everyone was able to enjoy the events. The panel also acknowledged the work of the wider Play Service team.
Team working is an essential part of the role and Heather is hugely appreciative of her colleagues. “I feel so proud of our team and the service we provide and I’m delighted to have been nominated for this award, never mind to win it!
“This award recognises the importance of play in healthcare, the people who provide it and the families that benefit from it. I hope that winning this award will really highlight the contribution that Play Staff and Play Services based in hospitals make all over Scotland.”
Congratulations, Heather, on winning the Health-Related Play Award.
#myhealthmyrights, #scottishchildrenshealthweek, #schw, #bemorebear, #healthrightsdefenders
