Hospital Play Specialists

Registered Hospital Play Specialists provide a Play and Recreation Programme which contributes to meet the Psychosocial needs of Children and Young People.

Hospital Play Specialists help children and young people to:

Understand why they are in hospital and what will happen
Cope with illness, with being in hospital and with their treatment
Regain confidence, independence and self-esteem

Play experiences helps children to:

Adjust to the Hospital Environment
Express their feelings and their understanding of illness and their hospital experience
Recover more quickly
Creates an environment where stress and anxiety are reduced
Encourages family involvement
Allows Children to be themselves and develop and learn through Play
Aids in assessment and diagnosis

What we do

Hospital Play Specialists work on the Inpatient Paediatric Wards. We also receive referrals from Waikids Day Stay Unit, Children’s Outpatient Clinic and Community District Nurses.

Our Waikids Playroom (Ministry of Education Licensed Early Childhood Centre) is situated on the Paediatric Medical Ward.

This facility for Paediatric Inpatient’s provides a safe, fun, supportive and social environment where Children and Families can experience developmentally appropriate activities and play.

Our programme is supported by Hospital Volunteers.

Hospital Play Specialists collaborate with families and other health care professionals to provide:

Prepare children for medical procedures and treatment to help reduce anxiety and enhance understanding
Introduce coping strategies, to allow children to develop their own individual means of coping
Provide support and distraction during medical procedures
Offer developmentally appropriate opportunities for play and expressive activities both at bedside and in the Playroom
Promote family-centered care by providing information, advocacy and support to families
Provide Education for Child, Siblings and Family

Contact us

Play Specialist Office

Level B3,
Elizabeth Rothwell Building
Waikato Hospital,
Hamilton

Ph: (07) 839 8899 ext: 98171 & 96747