New Starlight data revealing a severe shortage of health play professionals has been highlighted by The Guardian, as we call for every child to have access to therapeutic play during healthcare.
The feature publicises nationally our latest figures on the chronic shortage of heath play professionals in the UK.
Starlight’s Freedom of Information data found there are just 955 full-time equivalent health play professionals supporting more than 21 million child admissions across the UK each year – around one for every 22,061 admissions, compared with the recommended level of one for every 2,230.
The article also tells the story of 13-year-old Filly, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia aged three. She and her mother Lyndsey described how health play professionals helped her cope with treatment and made hospital a less frightening place.
She explains how they used toys to help her understand hair loss caused by her treatment and helped her cope with invasive and painful procedures during 26 months of treatment.
The coverage comes during an important week for Starlight’s work to improve children’s experiences of healthcare. We brought MPs and Peers together at Westminster to a Drop-In event to discuss turning commitments on health play into action and met Health Minister Baroness Merron to discuss the importance of play in children’s healthcare.
The Government has committed to adoption of the NHS England and Starlight Play Well Toolkit across ICBs and NHS trusts by 2027. Starlight is calling for that commitment to be backed by the action, accountability and investment needed to ensure children can access therapeutic play wherever they receive healthcare.