Our play team

Play is important for patients and young people, especially when in hospital. Great Ormond Street Hospital is dedicated to putting the Child First and Always and providing holistic care for our patients and families.

Our friendly and highly-skilled Play Team provide specialised therapeutic play to help patients cope with their diagnosis, condition, treatments and procedures. For example, the team use distraction techniques to engage and distract children before and during blood tests, so that they have a more comfortable experience.

The Play Team also provide general play activities, to help normalise patients’ experience at hospital. As part of this, on every ward there is a play facility staffed by team members, and stocked with books, toys and games.

"For some patients who are isolated and far from home, play can be a real time of normality and solace from hospital life." Sarah, a Play Specialist on Bumblebee and Butterfly Ward says. "It is something fun and enjoyable that translates to each patient, no matter what the language or cultural differences may be. Having time for arts and crafts, games, fun and interaction can be really uplifting for a patient’s wellbeing and help patients cope with their diagnosis and treatment."