The Health Play Team in Aberdeen are celebrating well deserved recognition for the ways in which they are helping children and families who attend the Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital.
Congratulations go to Play Service Manager, Heather Beattie, who has won the Children’s Health Scotland award for Health-Related Play.
Health Related Play Award
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.
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 Children’s Health Scotland 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.
Thank you to Children’s Health Scotland for permission to publish this tribute.
The health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland, and their right to the best possible health, lies at the heart of the work of Children’s Health Scotland. The charity was founded in 1961 and since then has grown to become experts in their sector and the leading children’s health charity in Scotland. The charity provides health and wellbeing support Programmes directly to children and young people with health conditions, and Foster and Kinship Carers. It is the only charity in Scotland dedicated to informing, promoting, and campaigning on the healthcare needs and rights of all children and young people with health conditions. We work tirelessly to defend the right of every child to the best possible health.
Charity No: SC006016
Website: https://www.childrenshealthscotland.org/
Address: Cameron House, Forthside Way, Stirling, FK8 1QZ