Hospital services

Hampshire Health Professional Honoured for Supporting the Next Generation of Play Specialists

Senior Health Play Specialist Jo Lafford at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, has been named runner-up Mentor of the Year in the Starlight Health Play Awards 2025. 

Jo, who has guided several students through their development, said: “It’s been really rewarding watching them grow and then seeing them strengthen our team.”  

Supporting the future of the profession 

With recruitment challenges affecting hospitals across the UK, Jo says nurturing new Health Play Specialists has never been more important. 

“We’ve advertised posts several times, but sometimes we don’t get any qualified applicants. It’s a struggle not only here, but across the country,” she explained. 

“It’s such an important profession, and I’m worried for the future because of the recruitment difficulties. We need to see it grow, because play is so vital for children in hospital.” 

A career spanning three decades 

Jo has worked in hospital play services for 30 years, including 14 at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where she supports children at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. 

Her team of five Health Play Specialists and three assistants, including Sinead Baily and Lucy Gover (picture with Jo) work across day surgery, blood test clinics, the children’s assessment unit in A&E, and inpatient wards. They are also referred cases by the multidisciplinary medical team to help children struggling with anxiety, medical procedures, or scans that might otherwise not be possible without play-based support. 

“Jo has been so supportive throughout my second year. Her guidance and encouragement made a huge impact on my learning and development. She always demonstrates best practice and gave me opportunities to work alongside her referrals, helping me prepare for my future role as a Health Play Specialist.” - Jo's most recent mentee and nominator Sinead Bailey

Sinead recalled one inspiring case, a five-year-old oncology patient who was too anxious to attend hospital for treatment. 

Recognition for dedication 

“Sinead and I visited him at home, built trust, and created a plan for how he’d have his port accessed,” said Jo. “We gave control back to the child, shared the plan with the team, and he came in for his treatments and recovered. I went to every appointment he had.” 

“I was really shocked to be nominated, but it’s such a lovely feeling, especially because I’ve mentored quite a few people. It’s wonderful to see all that effort recognised.” - Jo Lafford

 “We are extremely proud of Jo, the word “play” doesn’t do justice to the complexity of her work and the valuable contribution she makes to the lives of our youngest patients, many of whom are navigating serious health challenges while trying to enjoy the precious years of childhood.” - a spokesperson for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust 

Dr Krutika Pau, Deputy CEO of Starlight Children’s Foundation

“Starlight is thrilled to celebrate Jo’s dedication and the impact she’s had on the next generation of Health Play Specialists. At a time when recruitment is one of the biggest challenges facing the profession, mentors like Jo are vital, they inspire confidence, share expertise, and help ensure children in hospital continue to receive the specialist support they deserve.”