Policy

NHS 10-Year Plan needs integrated play to achieve aims for children

The government's 10-Year Plan for the NHS and its focus on tackling ill health through prevention links with Starlight's mission to prevent avoidable trauma in healthcare for children through therapeutic play. 

We have been making the case for integrated play services in healthcare for many years and have evidence to back up the powerful effect it can have on children's experience of healthcare, their recovery and long-term wellbeing.  We have been working with healthcare providers in two areas highlighted in the report - dental treatment and vaccinations - both projects have had impactful results.

Cathy Gilman, Starlight CEO, said: Starlight welcomes the commitment to improving children's health. Early intervention, preventative care, and more neighbourhood provision are all positive developments for children and families; and we also welcome the plans to improve children’s dental health and the take-up of important childhood vaccinations.

Each of these measures can be greatly enabled by the involvement of health play teams. Evidence shows how play helps to humanise children’s healthcare, making services more accessible. Therapeutic play protects children from psychological trauma when they are sick and receiving treatment – making care kinder, gentler and more child-friendly; as well as more cost-efficient for the NHS.

We agree with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health that the next step must be a clear plan for children’s healthcare – and the children’s health workforce – within this new system. The new Play Well Toolkit of guidelines and recommended standards for health play services that we co-produced with NHS England sets out how and why health play services should be integral to this plan.