The charity for children’s play in hospitals and hospices has recognised the play team for their outstanding dedication and innovation in using play to enhance the hospital experience for young patients.

Despite many challenges, the team has consistently demonstrated the importance of play in helping children and families navigate the often-daunting hospital environment.

Starlight holds the annual Health Play Awards to recognise inspirational healthcare professionals who work to ensure every child experiences the power of play. Play can reduce fear, pain and trauma, so they advocate for this during a child’s treatment and recovery from illness.

Speaking about the impact of this award, the play service manager, Heather Beattie said: “The entire team is just ecstatic. This recognition comes at such a pivotal time for us, and I can’t stress enough how much it means. We’ve been through an incredibly busy and, at times, challenging periods. This award feels like a culmination of all that hard work, like a bright light that has given everyone a moment to pause, reflect, and remember why we do what we do.”

Sarah Simpson, secretary to Allied Health Professionals at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital, said: “This dedicated, highly professional team, led by Heather Beattie, works tirelessly to provide patients with as pleasant and fun a hospital experience as possible. They understand how frightening being hospital can be and come up with ways to remove the fear and stress from the situations these young people find themselves in.”

Cathy Gilman, chief executive of Starlight, said: “The team at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital embodies the spirit of what we strive to achieve through play in healthcare settings. Despite very little resource they are ingenious in the many ways that they help to make hospital a place where children can feel safe, supported, and even find joy amidst their treatment is truly inspiring. We are thrilled to honour them as Play Team of the Year 2024.”

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