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Cancer survivor joins MPs in Parliament to call for more play in children's healthcare
An MP hosted a House of Commons debate this week calling for therapeutic play to be fully integrated into children’s healthcare, as an essential safeguard against trauma caused by illness and medical treatment.
Hari's life became dominated by hospitals, isolation and invasive procedures
The debate which took place on Tuesday 6 January was led by Calvin Bailey MBE MP for Leyton and Wanstead in north east London and inspired by the experience of his constituent nine-year-old Hari Owen who was diagnosed with leukaemia aged four. Hari’s mother Sarah Owen is Policy and Public Affairs Officer for Starlight. She was drawn to this role after witnessing first-hand the difference therapeutic play made to her son on the rare occasions it was available.
During a grueling two-and-a-half-year treatment journey, Hari was immersed in a world of surgery, chemotherapy, blood transfusions and separation from family and friends. Sometimes he was completely isolated. He attended hospital 280 times as both an in-patient and out-patient, and endured 130 mostly traumatic blood tests at home, delivered via a needle into a port in his chest known as a Port-a-cath – a small medical device inserted under the skin. (Image: Hari receiving a blood transfusion while playing with LEGO)
A struggle that exposes the postcode lottery facing families
Despite the scale and intensity of his treatment, he received just 17 therapeutic play sessions in hospital and none at home.
When health play was available, it had a transformative impact – helping him understand procedures, reducing his fear and distress, and brought comfort during the most frightening moments of his care. But this access was inconsistent and mostly absent, particularly when receiving healthcare at home, despite repeated invasive procedures taking place in what should have been his safest space.
Sarah was forced to repeatedly fight for access to therapeutic play throughout his treatment – a struggle that exposed the postcode lottery facing families.
“Play was the single most important therapeutic tool for Hari. It brought him comfort, helped him cope, and protected him from some of the trauma of what he was going through. But it was never guaranteed. We had to push for it every time, even though it made such a clear difference. No family should have to fight for something that is so fundamental to a child’s wellbeing. For the team treating him, his medical procedures came first, often to the detriment of his mental health and overall wellbeing, which are so closely linked to recovery.” - Sarah
During the debate Calvin Bailey highlighted how illness and medical treatment can be frightening and distressing for children, and how therapeutic play is vital in safeguarding them from trauma.
“As well as improving children’s experiences, therapeutic play also benefits the NHS. Calmer, better-prepared children are more cooperative during procedures, leading to fewer cancellations, shorter procedure times, and a reduced need for anaesthetics and sedation – saving vital NHS resources and helping to tackle waiting lists.
“Despite these benefits, there are currently too few health play professionals, and they are often not recognised as core members of multidisciplinary paediatric medical teams. Provision remains patchy and unequal, particularly in community and home-based care, and in many district general hospitals.” - Calvin Bailey (Pictured far right and health minister Ashely Dalton pictured centre)
NHS England and Starlight have co-produced the Play Well toolkit – new national guidelines and standards designed to embed health play services as a core part of healthcare for all children. The charity has also proposed a focused national programme to support NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards to implement the toolkit, including training and practical support for paediatric settings.
Starlight is calling on the Government and the NHS to support the national rollout of these standards, invest in the health play workforce, and ensure that every child can access therapeutic play wherever they receive healthcare.
“I missed out on so much when I had leukaemia. It took a lot of my life at that time. I missed seeing my friends, going to school and seeing my family. Play was something we could do even when I was in hospital and having my treatment, it made everything more fun and much better. I could just be myself.” - Hari
“This is not about adding something nice to have to children’s healthcare. It’s about protecting children from avoidable trauma and making the NHS as welcoming, gentle and child-friendly as possible. What Hari had to go through is heart-breaking and unfortunately it is still the reality for many children.
“I'm so pleased to be able to support Hari, Sarah, and all at Starlight with this campaign. Their efforts will have a significant impact on this Labour government’s mission to raise the healthiest generation of children ever.” - Calvin Bailey
Cross-party support for integrating health play into the NHS
More than 20 MPs attended with over half making statements based on their own experiences and those of their constituents. All supported health play to be fully integrated into medical teams within the NHS with investment in and support for the health play workforce to achieve this.
Responding to the debate for the Government, Ashley Dalton MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Public Health and Prevention, said “It is important to treat children like children when they are at home, at school or in hospital. There is growing evidence that therapeutic play can mitigate risks of trauma. We recognise that play services are integral to paediatric care, not a nice-to-have.
“All play is therapeutic, and we all benefit from a little bit more play. I stand ready to work with NHS England, with my honourable friend [Calvin Bailey MP] and Starlight to make this a decisive year for children’s health.”