NAHPS – A History

“Lady Greens” by the children themselves because of their uniforms.

one with interesting things to do. “Where play can be organised under skilled supervision it is particularly useful”.

Following her discussions with Dr David Morris consultant paediatrician, innovative work began as Save the Children Fund employed Gabi Marston as the first Hospital Play Staff at the Brook Hospital, London. Over the years Save the Children established many successful hospital play schemes which went on to become an integral part of hospital services. During this time Peg Belson, a founder member of Mother Care for Children in Hospital- later to become the National Association of the Welfare of Children in Hospital (NAWCH) was instrumental in using the organisation to raise awareness of the importance of play in hospital.

recommended the employment of play staff on children’s wards. Their report was not published until 1976.

under the guidance of Susan Harvey, Gabi Marston and Dr Hugh Jolly. This moved to Southwark College in 1978 and was the forerunner of our present training.

and was made up of 28 play staff including Pamela Barnes and Sheila Docherty. 10 other professions representing nursing, medicine, social work and the voluntary sector were listed as members including our patron, Dr Richard Wilson.

NAHPS now prints a bi-annual Journal informing members and allied professions of the skilled work of colleagues throughout the UK.

There are now a series of leaflets, reading lists and booklists available offering expert advice on different aspects of Play in Hospital.

Today these are a regular and valuable feature of its work in supporting its member’s continual professional development.

Save the Children Fund, National Association for the Welfare of Children in Hospital and Pre-school Playgroups Association.

to institute a national qualification for the profession. Pamela Barnes became the first chair of HPSEB later known as the Hospital Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET). The aims of the Trust include the:

Advancement of education with particular reference to the study of developmental and therapeutic play; including psycho-social care in hospital of children, young people and their families, the promotion of high standards of care through the advancement and improvement of the education and training of Hospital Play Staff, the undertaking of research into the care in hospital and in the community of children, young people and their families and the publication of the useful results.

Dr Hugh Jolly had introduced Hospital Play Specialists in Charing Cross Hospital in 1965. He was a respected and active advocate for Play in Hospital, encouraging the development of play schemes and supporting professional play staff.

“Quality Management for Children, Play in Hospital” by Christine Hogg.

Hospital Play Specialists as a distinct staff group in the Health Service.

Hospital Play Staff Examination Board was recognised as an awarding body by the 1992 Further and Higher Education Act.

Maternity Services – Standard for Hospital Services makes reference to the need for play in hospital and the therapeutic purpose of play as part of the child’s care plan. The document recommends that all children staying in hospital have daily access to a play specialist.

Specialised Play for Sick Children and Young People, accredited at Level 4 on the National Qualification Framework.

This new audit tool is for play specialists and those who manage play services to evaluate and guide professional development and practice.

NAHPS signed an agreement with the University of Shizuoka, which recognised the importance of international cooperation between the UK and Japan, in establishing an affiliation to promote high quality play services for sick children and an alliance in sharing best practice in research and teaching.

study should be a Foundation Degree with entry to the professional register at level 5, and that in conjunction with the validating university the pilot programmes would be offered by 2 colleges.

September 2010 at Bolton and Stanmore Colleges.

The new Foundation Degree Award ‘Healthcare Play Specialism’ is recognised as the requirement for application for professional registration with the Hospital Play Staff Education Trust (HPSET) and a Licence to Practice as a Registered Health Play Specialists. Both the qualification and professional registration together forms the recognised qualification and standard for work in the National Health Service (NHS) and many community healthcare settings.

Peg Belson, Patron of NAHPS dies.