A mum whose five-year-old daughter is being treated for cancer at the Royal Hospital for Children has praised the Health Play Team for helping make an incredibly difficult journey less frightening for her family.
As part of Play in Healthcare Week, Jude Brown has shared how the specialist team at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Royal Hospital for Children (RHC) has supported her daughter Robyn throughout her cancer treatment, helping her understand procedures, prepare for treatment and continue being a child during long days in hospital.
The family’s journey began unexpectedly in January when Robyn’s mum noticed blood in her daughter’s urine.
What they initially thought might be a urinary tract infection quickly became something far more serious.
Within 48 hours, Robyn had gone from preparing for a family trip to Disneyland to being admitted to Schiehallion Ward at the RHC, where she was later diagnosed with a Wilms tumour on her left kidney.
Jude, from Ayr said: “Everything happened so fast. One minute we were getting ready for a trip to Disneyland and the next our lives had completely changed.
“From the very beginning, the Play Team made such a huge difference.”
Before undergoing MRI and CT scans, Robyn was introduced to Health Play Specialist Maureen McFarlane Houston, who used small toy scanners, figures and play equipment to help explain exactly what would happen during the procedures.
Robyn was able to explore the equipment, hear the sounds she would encounter and ask questions in a safe and child-friendly environment.
Her mum explained: “When we actually went down for the real thing, Robyn was great and knew exactly what to expect and what all the noises sounded like, so it made her totally relaxed about the whole situation.”
Following the scans, Robyn was diagnosed with a Wilms tumour and began chemotherapy treatment.
One of the most difficult conversations her family faced was explaining that she would lose her hair as a result of treatment.
Jude said: “I was really upset about it. How do I tell my daughter she is going to lose her blonde curls?
“I spoke to Maureen, and she offered to come and speak to Robyn about it. She brought in a doll that didn’t have hair and explained, in a kind but factual way, that her hair was going to be ‘having a rest’ because of her medicine, but that it would come back.
“Robyn was very accepting of it all, and it made such a difference.”
As well as preparing children for procedures and treatment, the Health Play Team helps create normality and moments of joy during long hospital stays.
Jude said: “The days are long, but the Play Team helps break the days up massively.
“They constantly pop in with toys, games or even just for a chat. As a parent, you’re terrified, but it meant there was someone coming through the door from the Play Team rather than a medical member of staff.”
The team also helped prepare Robyn for having a port inserted into her chest for chemotherapy, using specialist play resources including a teddy with a port and books that allowed her and her family to understand what the procedure would involve.
“The doctors and nurses explain what’s going to happen and when, but it’s the Play Team who help us understand it in a non-scary way,” her mum said.
Throughout treatment, Robyn has experienced significant changes, including losing her hair and weight, but her mum says the Play Team has always focused on the little girl behind the diagnosis.
“If you bump into any of the Play Team, they know Robyn by name and always ask how she is doing,” she said.
“Everyone works to make sure that my little girl doesn’t have to think about the fact that her appearance has changed. They make her feel like the gorgeous wee girl she is.”
The support extends beyond activities and play sessions. During lengthy chemotherapy appointments, which can last 10 to 12 hours, the team regularly checks in with the family and goes out of their way to bring comfort and distraction.
“Robyn is princess-obsessed, and they would go and try to find the exact thing she wanted,” Jude said.
“They always go above and beyond. I don’t know how they do what they do, especially working with children going through so much, but it never comes across to the children. There is constant positivity and joy from them and I think that’s a really amazing thing.
“The difference they’ve made to Robyn and our family is incredible. They have helped make an unimaginably difficult situation that little bit easier.”
Play in Healthcare Week celebrates the vital role that health play specialists and hospital play teams have in supporting children and young people receiving care, helping to reduce fear and anxiety, improve understanding and create positive experiences during hospital stays.
The Health Play Team and programme at the RHC is supported by Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity, which funded more than £1million of play and entertainment projects at the hospital last year.
Support is also provided by a range of other charities including Gabe’s Chemo Duck, The Little Princess Trust, and It’s good 2 give.
Jamie Redfern, Director of the Royal Hospital for Children, said: “Our Health Play Team plays a vital role in helping children and families navigate what can be an incredibly challenging time.
“Through specialist play, preparation and emotional support, they help reduce fear and anxiety, giving children like Robyn the confidence to understand and cope with their treatment.
“I am incredibly proud of the compassion, dedication and expertise they bring to supporting our young patients every day.”
