Young patients at the Royal Preston Hospital can now press play after Lancashire Teaching Hospital Charity used donations to its Childrenās Appeal to buy two customised gaming carts for the Childrenās Ward.
The carts, which cost Ā£7,307.42, are especially made for healthcare environments by Derbyshire company RockinR. Studies have shown that gaming can not only help manage pain, boredom, anxiety and sadness, it can also lead to a shorter hospital stay.
According to the 2016 Gaming for Health study, gaming just before surgery reduced anxiety. This was linked to a faster overall recovery, which in turn lead to a quicker discharge.
Nicola Entwistle, Matron Children and Young People, said: āMany sick children find hospital stays and outpatient appointments overwhelmingly daunting. Being able to game can be a coping mechanism, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
āGaming can also be used by healthcare professionals, play specialists and visiting family to promote interaction, foster a sense of joy and contentment and combat feelings of isolation. All this can impact positively on recovery. The power of play is essential to children in hospital and we are so grateful to receive these two customised carts.ā
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Fundraising manager Roya Armstrong said: āAs well as being lots of fun, the carts are a valuable wellbeing resource given all the positive studies around gaming in healthcare settings. We cannot thank local people enough for their generous donations to our Childrenās Appeal, which have enabled us to buy the carts.ā
The appeal is aiming to raise Ā£1 million for a variety of items to bring about a raft of improvements to childrenās in and out-patients at the Royal Preston Hospital and across other local centres managed by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust where children are assessed and treated.
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